Author and Activist Helen Zia Engages TAS Community in Conversations on Identity and Civic Voice

“Hearing from Helen Zia made me realize that finding your voice isn’t just about speaking up for yourself—it’s also about listening to and standing with others.”

This reflection from a student captures the heart of Helen Zia’s two-day visit to Taipei American School, which came as part of a broader community journey. Beginning with an August 25 book discussion of Last Boat Out of Shanghai and a September 1 introductory talk by Upper School History and Social Studies Teacher Richard Arnold, and culminating in assemblies and a community event on September 4–5, the TAS community engaged in a powerful exploration of identity, resilience, and the unifying power of personal stories.

On August 25, faculty, parents, and students gathered in the Upper School Library for a community book discussion of Helen Zia’s Last Boat Out of Shanghai, facilitated by Upper School history and math teacher Dante Benson. The evening sparked thoughtful reflections on migration, belonging, and the ways personal stories shape our understanding of the world, setting the stage for Zia’s upcoming visit.

On September 1, Arnold offered a primer on Zia’s life and work, providing students, staff, and parents with an informative introduction ahead of her visit. In addition to delivering this lecture, Arnold was the faculty member who applied for the PTA grant that brought Ms. Zia back to TAS; her first visit in over a decade.

From September 4–5, TAS had the honor of hosting Zia herself, for a series of student assemblies and a parent and community event. On Thursday, Grades 9 and 10 gathered for a conversation on identity, civic voice, and cross-cultural understanding. Friday’s session with Grades 11 and 12 built on these themes, encouraging students preparing for their next steps as scholars and global citizens to consider how they might use their voices for positive change.

One of the most memorable aspects of Zia’s visit was the student-led format of the assemblies. Annabelle H. ’27, Matthew W. ’27, and Sian P. ’27, and Bryce C. ’28, guided the conversations, asking thoughtful, refined questions they had prepared in advance. For many, it was inspiring to see students leading a dialogue with a world-renowned activist and journalist in front of their peers. Dr. Erika Soublet, Upper School History and Social Studies Chair, reflected: “In my 13 years here at TAS, we’ve never had students do that in an assembly before. It was empowering, and it allowed Ms. Zia to do what she enjoys most—engage in conversation with young people and inspire future activists.”

Throughout her visit, Zia spoke often about the power of personal stories. She reminded the community that in a disconnected world, stories help us see each other as humans with unique experiences rather than as “others” defined by socio-economic, cultural, or political labels. Personal narratives, she noted, can bridge divides, promote understanding, and help heal fractured societies.

Her reflections also tied directly to TAS’s mission of cultivating global perspectives and building character. Drawing from her reporting in Last Boat Out of Shanghai and her work on the story of Vincent Chin, Zia explained how examining individual journeys against the backdrop of history deepens our understanding of the present and helps us recognize the forces that shape identity and belonging across cultures.

The assemblies also highlighted TAS values of courage, respect, and responsibility. Zia called students to action, urging them to ask questions of elders, investigate family and local histories, and remain curious about the events shaping their communities. She emphasized that courage is required to engage with difficult stories, respect is necessary to honor others’ lived experiences, and responsibility is essential for building awareness and understanding.

Jennifer Wile, Upper School Librarian, highlighted the ways Zia’s message connected with TAS’s values: “Ms. Zia called the students to action. She asked them to take responsibility for awareness of what is happening around them. Her call to investigate their own family or local geopolitical histories embodies respect and responsibility. She emphasized the need for courage to ask elders and be curious about their place, time, and events—and to be active in trying to understand these.”

The residency concluded with an evening Q&A and book signing, where families had the chance to engage directly with Zia. Conversations touched on resilience, migration, and social impact, reminding all participants that personal stories carry power and meaning within a global context.

Looking ahead, Wile hopes the visit will have lasting impact; that “students will see the value of reading and engaging with stories to better understand the world and each other.” She went on to say, “Ms. Zia was a warm, kind, and empathetic guest who has shown great courage in her reporting and has taken responsibility to seek justice and awareness. She showed us that success and accomplishment can go hand-in-hand with kindness, respect, and courage.”

Through events like these, TAS continues to foster academic excellence, cultural understanding, and global citizenship, ensuring that every voice — and every story — truly matters. This special visit was made possible through the generous support of the PTA, whose commitment to bringing meaningful learning opportunities to campus helps strengthen connections across the TAS community.