The students at the head of the programming board play an integral role in coordinating the goals of the Intercultural Center. Brandon Luk '06: co-chair of the ICC Student Programming Board

Luk, an anthropology and biology double major, plans to work as a firefighter for one year after graduation. After this, he will attend medical school and study to become a pediatric heart surgeon. "My brother was born with a hole in his heart," Luk said of his inspiration for this line or work. As far as the firefighting, it's been his dream since he was young.

Luk's father was born in Hong Kong, and his mother in China. Luk was born in New York City and grew up in Newark, NJ in a primarily Hispanic and African-American community, "with Asians here and there," he said. Luk did not initially plan to be involved in the ICC, but after attending a few meetings his first year here, he realized it "ran parallel" to his anthropology studies.

Anthropology and medicine are intertwined, Luk said, because a good doctor needs to understand people. He intends to write an anthropology honors thesis next year comparing street culture in America to street culture in another country.

He is also a member of BEMCo., a tutor for the TRIO Student Support Services Program, a building manager in the Shapiro Campus Center, and an occasional research assistant in Prof. Nelson's (NEURO) laboratory. Over the summer, when he worked more heavily in the neuroscience lab, his name was included on a few publications.

Though Luk is busy, he said that all his interests are "like a big puzzle fitting together."



Jin Kim '07: co-chair of the ICC Student Programming Board

Kim, an economics and politics major, literally hails from multiple countries. Born in Korea, he moved to Singapore at age three and Thailand at eight. "I consider myself Korean, but I consider Thailand my home," he said.

Though Kim visited the United States previously, he only came here to live when he began Brandeis last fall. His family still lives in Thailand.

Kim, who considers himself Asian-American, said the biggest shock upon moving here was discovering Asian stereotypes. "Asian minority issues don't exist in Asian majorities," he said.

After Brandeis, Kim wants to study for an M.B.A. in the United States, and then work as an investment banker in New York or Boston. After a few years working, he plans to move back to Asia-either to Korea, Japan, Thailand or China. He said his father, who is a businessman, influenced this career choice. Also, Kim wants a career where he can use his "personality as an advantage." He is analytical, a perfectionist and a workaholic, he said, and investment banking embodies all these traits. "And it's sexy," he added.

Kim also works as a Community Adviser in Rosenthal East. He hopes to study abroad next year in either Korea or England.



Hemang Kotecha '07: secretary of the ICC Student Programming Board

Kotecha, who plans to major in biology, arrived to his interview carrying the helmet for his motorcycle, a Suzuki Katana. He commutes to Brandeis from his home in Waltham.

Both of Kotecha's parents are from India and he has visited the country several times, but he said that while growing up in Waltham, he did not enjoy attending Indian events and gatherings. He is glad he got involved at Brandeis. "It just sort of happened without my trying," he said of the shift.

After Brandeis, Kotecha wants to attend medical school, possibly to study pediatrics. "I really like kids," he said. "I grew up with a lot of younger cousins."

Kotecha first got involved with the ICC because his friend needed an extra dancer for a piece in Mela. Kotecha, who is also a member of Adagio, gladly obliged. "I like dancing... I look kind of stupid doing it, but it's fun," he said.

Kotecha is also active in intramural sports at Brandeis, including flag football, basketball and Whiffleball.