Zia Smith ’25

Other clubs, sports, and activities you’d like to mention: 
I am the co-chair of MISC, a wonderful organization at Smith for multi-racial students and transracial adoptees. I also love attending LASO, the Latin American Students Association events and I recently joined the Global Medical Brigades chapter at Smith. 

Describe your major completely incorrectly. 
Chinese classes aim to deeply understand the relationship between Wang Peng and Li You, two characters in the Integrated Chinese textbooks which students use in first- and second-year Chinese. 

In addition to learning about these intriguing textbook characters, students can take classes on Chinese history, classes focused on other East Asian countries, third-year language classes etc. However this isn’t nearly as thought-provoking as learning the lore of the other textbook characters and wondering whether the character Gao-wen Zhong ever persuaded his unrequited love, Bai-ying Ai, to go on a date with him. 

If you are confused by any of this, fear not! All you need to do is join the Chinese department to find out more! 

What originally inspired you to choose your major? 
I’ve always loved learning languages and I dabbled in Mandarin Chinese during my senior year of high school. When I started at Smith as a prospective East Asian Studies major, I decided to take Chinese to pursue this interest. I enjoyed learning the characters and practicing pronunciation and I realized I wanted to take as many Chinese language classes as I could. 

The East Asian Language and Culture Major was perfect for me because of its focus on language proficiency and Chinese history and culture, but you also have the opportunity to explore courses in the Korean and Japanese department to gain a broader understanding of East Asia. Additionally, the faculty in the Chinese department were one of the biggest reasons I chose to declare an EAL major; their support was much appreciated during the intensive first-year Chinese class. I felt so welcomed in the department that I didn’t want to leave! 

Who was your favorite professor and what did you most like about their style of teaching? 
I honestly cannot pick one professor. After some reflection, I think the main similarity between my favorite professors is that they are truly invested in my success, not just in their class, but in my future as a whole. They have always encouraged me through feedback and are always willing to listen and provide support for papers, projects and presentations. With these professors it isn’t just their teaching style that has made me feel comfortable; it is also their dedication and their unspoken acknowledgment that they were once in our shoes.

What is one Chinese word or phrase that you love and wish more people knew about? 
One phrase that we learned in my Chinese class this semester is: 神不知鬼不覺/ 神不是鬼不觉. This phrase means “with great secrecy” or “without people knowing.” I find this phrase interesting because it literally translates to “unknown to god and ghost,” meaning if they don’t know a secret then no one else would know either. My professor explained to the class that ghosts are an important part of Chinese culture, so Mandarin Chinese uses lots of phrases with the character 鬼, which means ‘ghost’ and is pronounced “guǐ.” 

What's one experience studying abroad that was particularly memorable? 
In the spring and summer of 2024, I studied abroad in Taipei, Taiwan. Coincidentally, one of my best friends from Smith has a close friend named Meng-han who lives with her family in a city outside of Taipei. During the summer, I was encouraged by my Smith friend to reach out. At first, I was a bit nervous, but when I finally reached out, Meng-han and her family were excited to meet me. They immediately made me feel welcome and at home. Since I missed my friends and family back in the U.S. I felt so grateful t for this sense of familiarity. 

Meng-han and her family took me out to eat that first evening and again the next day before showing me around the city where they live. Although it was a short trip, I will always be thankful for their hospitality. I hope that someday I can treat them to a meal and show them around my hometown in Vermont. 

As someone who has such a long family history with Smith (reaching back to your great-grandmother) what was something about the college or Smithies in general that you already knew before you arrived? 
Strangely enough, my mom never really talked about Smith when I was younger, so as not to pressure me into applying. I only saw the occasional Smith alumni magazine on the coffee table or heard my mom talk about the two houses she lived in during her time there. All I knew was that Smith was a place where my mom made wonderful life-long friends and followed her passion in art history—and that one of the main highlights was the weekly house tea. 

How has your connection to the other Smithies in your family changed now that you're almost an alum yourself? Mostly I’m in awe of them! Smith has shaped them in more ways than one and in more ways than I’ll ever know. I am proud of all of them for excelling in so many different fields and different areas of life. It’s a privilege that we were all able to experience Smith at different times and can now share our favorite Smith memories, traditions and stories at family gatherings. 

Because of Smith, I will graduate with more confidence and strength, just like the other women in my family.