We are so excited to bring back PoHE in a new virtual format! Created to amplify the Hmong voice in higher education, the Hmong Student Association at Berkeley initiated the Pursuit of Higher Education (PoHE) program in 2008. Historically, PoHE was a three-day, two-night educational conference in mid-April located at the University of California, Berkeley. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PoHE will be hosted virtually on Monday, April 5th to Sunday, April 11th, 2021 via Zoom in the evening PST.

The program caters, but is not limited, to Hmong high school students from California. As a virtual conference hosted in Pacific Standard Time (PST), anyone interested in applying from out-of-state is responsible to account for their time zone and capacity in joining us.

Selected participants will have the opportunity to participate in academic and cultural workshops, develop leadership skills through peer-bonding activities, and learn more about the Hmong history and culture. Please take note that academic performance is not a factor in the acceptance of participants, thus all students from various academic backgrounds and experiences are highly encouraged to apply.

PoHE 2021 Theme: “Crossing Borders” – borders that our ancestors, or even you, once crossed to seek asylum, and borders that have caused the suppression of our own voices and conflict among our identity. Like our resilient ancestors once did, we must recognize the paths and difficulties we face as minorities as it is our turn as the next generation to cross a new border into a path of empowerment. We aim to create a safe space for you to explore and fight for your own voice and individuality, as well as deconstructing social norms, navigating our different identities, and overcoming generational gaps. How can we accomplish all these aspects while staying true to who we are? How can we build bridges to bring each other together? And how do we fight unjust system barriers? Through recognizing our historical background and current contemporary issues, we have the ability and power to uplift each other and our community on the other side of these boundaries. We should foster compassion for all and encourage the voices of our communities to grow.

When thinking of borders, many people tend to think of a line that divides two territories, but what happens if you are in between those lines? How can we measure and find that balance of our “identities”? Our own identity, privilege, background, cultural heritage, and where we stand in the history and political socio-economic world of America shaped who we are as individuals and how we view ourselves and others in the present political and social climate systems. With the theme of “Crossing Borders,” we hope to start discussions about how the Hmong developed in this country, how we connect with other cultures, and how it influenced our perception of reality. We aspire to connect the several borders and boundaries we encounter throughout our lives and find the middle ground in it all. We hope it will generate a new perspective on Hmong history as well as meaningful social progress for our own future that were shaped by Hmong politics, traditions, and more.