Cultural Exchange is a new This Week at AU feature. 

Even halfway around the world, Kyle Ta-ay, SIS/MA ’24, a global governance, politics, and security major, has found ways to stay connected with his Filipino roots, sharing his culture with classmates and others at AU. 

“Sharing food, music, language, and cultural practices makes the world richer,” said Ta-ay, an assistant in the International Studies and Scholar Services office. “I tend to share these with friends I’ve made at the university, and I think AU has cultivated a space where international students feel welcome.” 

Ta-ay comes to AU from Aklan, a province in the middle of the Visayas island group in the Philippines archipelago. Aklan has just over 600,000 residents, making it one of the smaller of the 82 provinces that make up the more than 7,000 islands of the Philippines. 

Ta-ay knows his country of more than 110 million people well, as he interned for the nation’s tourism board. Here, he shares a few of his favorites from home, the ties between DC and his country, and a good local restaurant for Filipino food. 

How long does it take to get to AU from Aklan? 

Around 21 total hours for two flights and the car ride from New York City to DC. 

Your friend is visiting the Philippines—what three places should they visit? 

First, Boracay Beach in Aklan. The sand is powdery white, and your feet never get hot. The water is clear. It’s paradise. 

After Boracay, visit Palawan [one of the farthest west provinces in the nation, near Borneo]. Palawan is also known for its beaches and these amazing limestone cliffs that surround them. You’re transported into a different world. 

Finally, Manila. Although you might find it a little chaotic, it's a vibrant city. But you have the urban setting, the great nightlife, and the food. 

How do you feel connected to home while in DC? 

Filipinos are known for our warmth, and I try to embody that wherever I am. The US has a significant Filipino diaspora, so you always run into people who can talk about home. 

How can AU make you feel more at home? 

AU could host more culturally themed events with students representing different cultures. The exchange of cultures and perspectives enriches the university experience, and promoting cross-cultural exchanges is paramount to ensuring that the broader AU community benefits from the wide range of lived experiences of a diverse student body. 

Have do you share your culture with fellow students? 

I share with my friends, but cultural exchange is not unilateral. I need to remain open to an array of perspectives. This could be through offering some food I made at home or introducing them to a Filipino song. The diversity at AU is something worth celebrating. I encourage everyone to be open to making connections with new places and people. 

What Filipino dish would you like to share with students at TDR?  

My grandfather’s chicken tinola. It’s like chicken soup. His tastes different than others because we have a farm, and he raises chickens. 

Where’s your favorite spot for Filipino cuisine in the area? 

Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly in Kensington, Maryland. You go there for the lechon, a pig roasted on an open fire. They have good sisig—deep-fried pork cartilage and parts of the head.  

Have an idea for Cultural Exchange? Email editor Jonathan Heeter.