Schuyler Kraus

After graduating from KU, I enrolled in graduate school for Chinese medicine in North Carolina where I obtained a masters and doctorate of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Now, I own my own Chinese medicine clinic in Honolulu, HI. Every day, I get to help people overcome health issues ranging from autoimmune diseases to chronic pain. I love what I do and owe it to my studies in EALC.

   

During Chinese medicine school, my EALC degree lent me the advantage of knowing the language, culture, and (bonus!) being able to read classical Chinese. Much of ancient Chinese medicine literature is written in classical Chinese, so having that knowledge was indispensable in my studies. Also, much of Chinese medicine is rooted in Daoist naturalist philosophy, and I was able to deepen my understanding of the medicine due to having studied Daoist philosophy in the EALC department.

   

On a more personal level, studying EALC shifted and expanded my worldview. I've found myself starting to undertake my own translations of the Dao De Jing and Zhuang Zi. Not only is this spiritually rewarding, but it is a necessary counterweight to Western philosophy. Moreover, learning another language forces you to think differently, not just because of the increased vocabulary, but adopting new syntax and grammar actually can change your experience of time and space. It's not an exaggeration to say that studying Chinese language and culture has made me a more aware and compassionate person. Studying any other language and/or culture will be similarly enlightening and humbling. The broadened perspective you gain will likely give you a better understanding of your other interests, as well.

It is wild to think how different my life would be had I not chosen to complement my Environmental Studies degree with a BA in EALC. Originally, I had only enrolled in the program so that my credits from the Defense Language Institute could be put toward a degree. As I progressed through the program, my interest in it became a passion. Little did I know this program would change my career trajectory and turn me into an acupuncturist!

   

I’m so grateful to the faculty in EALC for challenging me in the best way and being incredible mentors. They pay attention to each individual student and make a notable effort to help you achieve your highest potential. Moreover, the faculty truly care about their students. This is evident through the extracurricular events that the department organizes, such as Lunar New Year. That was always a fun event that gave time for students to bond with each other and allowed faculty to engage more with students. I remember us all eating moon cakes as we listened to our fellow students read Chinese poetry. I also remember getting to go on a field trip to the Nelson-Atkins museum in Kansas City to view and learn about the ancient Chinese artifacts. These were definite highlights from my time in the program.

Don't be afraid to take a risk on something that interests you but seems intimidating. When I first was offered to study a language in the Navy, I was given a choice between Chinese or Arabic. I was interested in learning Chinese because I thought the written language was beautiful and fascinating, but I was hesitant. I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to make sense of it. I chose it anyway.

   

Taking the first step is often the hardest, but you only have a chance to succeed when you try. Follow your passion, especially when it seems impossible.