Ally became deaf when she was 20 months old due to chemotherapy treatment which helped cure cancer in her arm. She’s the middle of three sisters whose parents came from China and Taiwan for better lives in the U.S. Her first language was spoken Chinese “but I forgot it.” She eventually learned spoken English and learned American Sign Language when she went to school. Today, she prefers using sign language whenever she can.
Aileen Wu
- Where I'm from
- Queens, NY
- Age
- 20
- Year Level
- 3
- Major
- Graphic Design
- Why did you come to RIT/NTID?
- To get a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and to meet new people (both hearing and deaf) and for the support services RIT/NTID offers.
- Best thing about college so far
- Bring able to get involved in many different activities.
- Best thing to do off-campus in Rochester
- Shopping at the malls.
- People may be surprised to know...
- ...that I am shy about going up on stage in front of an audience!
- Favorite food
- Asian foods. I miss my mom's homemade dinners!
- Favorite sport
- Bowling.
- Clubs
- Asian Deaf Club; Asian Culture Society; Chinese Student Scholars Association; Global Union.
- Hobbies/interests
- Hanging out with friends, drawing and sleep!
- Dream job
- Graphic designer or art teacher or therapist
- Where will you be five years from now?
- Graduating with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, then possibly going for a master's.
- What would you like to tell the world?
- I am proud of who I am, as a deaf Asian female who is a cancer survivor that can do anything to accomplish goals!
- Advice for incoming RIT/NTID students
- Work on your time management, get involved in different activities and HAVE FUN! It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Grab it!
