Students want to learn an Asia language, but the university does not offer the opportunity. Instead students are left to try to take online classes that do not pan out.

“I also encountered several students who wanted to learn Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages, and tried and failed to teach themselves using internet and books since we do not offer any Asian languages at EIU,” Dr. Jinhee Lee, an assistant professor of history.

Students begin to show more of interest whether or not they are of Asian descent by starting different clubs, like Asian Cinema Club and Asian American Association.

“A group of students asked me to work together as an advisor for their RSO such as Asian Cinema Club and Asian American Association.” Lee said, “Many of them WERE, in fact, aware of their needs to be exposed to and updated about what was going on in China, Japan, North Korea, and India.”

She wants to have the university see the viable actives, like AAA and ACO that show the students’ interest in the Asian society. Talking with different members of each group and finding out why people joined and what they have gotten out of being part of the group.

“ACO, as I’m sure all the members would say, is a different way to look at contemporary society in different Asian cultures/countries.” Mieko Fujiura, senior, art-history major said, “There’s only so much you can learn from a textbook or a lecture, but screening a movie invites us in to the cultures as the director and crew see it.

“It helped me develop leadership skills as I began to serve in the organization. My personality changed a lot over time during my years with AAA.” Jesse Wu, senior, business management major, said, “So did everyone in our group.”

Lee’s lecture “Asia in EIU, EIU in Asia” is about informing Eastern Illinois University community about the patterns of the U.S.-Asia relationship.

“As an Asian emigre scholar, I have noticed frequent gap between perception and reality of Asia among many Americans,” Lee said.

Lee will emphasizes on how the relationship between the two cultures have changed over time and to where it heading toward.

“Indeed, the historical patterns in the U.S.-Asian relationship thus far reveal the lack of understanding and education about Asia. It is critical for us to understand the dynamic relationships within Asia as well as between the U.S. and Asia.” Lee said, “Such perception gap and ignorance has produced some major mistakes in the political, economic, diplomatic, and security-related policies in this country, including China, North and South Korea, Vietnam, and Japan just to name a few,”

Lee wants to show the university why it is important of learning about Asia, for most of the economical and business jobs are moving there.

“Now, people talk about the Pacific Century and Asian Threat as China and India become economic giants following Japan.” Lee said, “I would like to explore what challenges we face in the U.S.-Asian relationship and what solutions there could be for meaningful and mutually beneficial, synergetic global partnership between the two regions, not in abstract terms but here and now with you at EIU.” Lee said.

University Board’s EIU Uncovered lecture will be at 8 p.m., in University Ballroom, today, presented by Lee “Asia in EIU, EIU in Asia”.

“The lecture will highlight historical patterns and problems in the U.S.-Asia relationship, and address practical suggestions on how the EIU community can move toward a grassroots global partnership with Asia,” Lee Said.