Volunteers are an essential part of Asia Society Texas' team! Assisting with everything from registration to arts and crafts to receptions, volunteers provide vital support for more than 125 public programs each year and contribute to our mission of advancing cultural exchange.

We'd like to shine a spotlight on one of our volunteers, Rylee Nguyen. Learn a little more about Rylee and his volunteer experience below!

Quick Facts

Name: Rylee Nguyen
Asia Society Texas volunteer since: August 2023
Interests: When I'm not volunteering, you can see me hiking all over the country or checking out local Houston bands.
Favorite volunteer role: I've enjoyed striking up conversation with visitors, whether about directions or about the event itself.
Favorite program you've volunteered for: My favorite programs so far have been the festivals, such as Lunar New Year.

Reflection

I decided to volunteer at Asia Society Texas on a whim, and have not regretted it. I came in not knowing anything or anyone; all I brought was an open mind and a willingness to learn about the people and the events I would be volunteering at. From tasks as simple as greeting volunteers at the door to preparing ingredients for bento boxes, I have never had a bad experience nor left the building without learning something new. 

One of my favorite memories from my time volunteering so far was the opening of the Heat Silhouette outdoor pavilion. That day, I helped screen print t-shirts for three hours straight in the cold, and by the end I was freezing and covered in blue paint. Yet, it was rewarding to see people at the end of the event wearing t-shirts that I helped to make. 

If I had to give advice to anybody choosing to volunteer at Asia Society Texas, it would be to just get out and go do it! Some of the kindest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing were ones I met while volunteering here, and over time I've started to recognize familiar faces among guests and fellow volunteers. The opportunity to meet people in your community is great, and you can do that while eating something you've never tried before or checking out AST's events.

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.