Yoo-Jin Kang is the Coordinator for Alcohol and Other Drugs at the Health Promotion and Advocacy Center at American University in Washington D.C. She moved around a lot but has lived most of her life in Howard County, Maryland. Yoo-Jin received her undergraduate degree at University of Maryland Baltimore County in Modern Languages, Linguistics and Intercultural Communication, as well as Interdisciplinary studies where she studied gender-based violence prevention. Yoo-Jin is new to AU, starting in August of 2018.
I was fortunate to be able to schedule a meeting with Yoo-Jin to discuss her role as the Coordinator for Alcohol and Other Drugs at the Health Promotion & Advocacy Center and why she thinks health and wellness for college students is important.
See our discussion below:
Q: What does being the Coordinator for Alcohol and Other Drugs entail? What kind of work do you participate in?
A: My job has a few main parts. The first part is doing one-on-one intervention work with students. I meet with every student who has gone to the hospital because of an alcohol or drug transport if it’s their first time. Or if you’re referred through an RA or through conduct, the student will typically meet with me first. I’m not a disciplinary person; I’m a health promotion person so I’m checking in and seeing what’s going on, if you’re interested in any resources and how you’re doing. The other part is meeting with students by self-referral, if you or someone else is interested in talking about your substance use, a friend’s use, or someone else you’re worried about. I also do fun programming where people can get information that doesn’t feel redundant or “preachy” where we can have authentic conversations about what’s going on in the AU community related to alcohol and other drugs.
Q: Why are you passionate about advocating for health and wellness for college students?
A: I just really love college students! I was a peer health educator when I was in college and that really changed my life. That’s where I learned about information such as the dynamics of an abusive relationship, different substances, and contraception that I never had access to until I got to college. I’m really passionate about working with college students because I think it’s a really wonderful time, and a scary time where you’re figuring things out. It’s also such a formative time- you’re still shaping yourself in college so it’s good to have this kind of information as soon as possible.
Q: Why do you think it’s important to maintain a healthy routine in college and what are the benefits of doing so?
A: College for a lot of people is the first time that they might be really truly, independent, and it can feel really daunting to try to do all of this at once. Stumbling now will help you later when there are things you have to do like pay bills and go to a nine to five job if you choose that route. As you have a little bit more flexibility in college, you have more room to get support and build the healthy habits now, so that you can take them with you when you graduate wherever you go. What you do now is going to be the core of what’s going to help you or hurt you later.
Q: Who is your biggest female role model and why?
A: My mom and Rihanna! They’re both fiercely independent and I think they’re trailblazers so they both have done things that are unique. They’re not afraid to set their boundaries and say what their values. You have no doubt what they’re about.
Q: What is your favorite way to de-stress during a busy week?
A: I really like to ground through scents- I’ll light incense or use essential oils. Because I sit a lot in my job, I like to lay on the floor which is really good for your spine and back. Doing both of these things at the same time- it sounds really simple, but that helps me focus on one thing.
Q: What is your favorite healthy snack?
A: Besides dark chocolate, I really like Fuji apples- they’re crisp and sweet!
Check out Yoo-Jin’s Staff Profile page here!
XOXO, Sophie
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