2025-2026 Year-Long Cohorts

Links to apply are at the bottom of each section!

Oral History Year Long Cohort

Thank you for your interest in the AAYL Year-Long Cohort. Please see the details below for more information on the cohort as well as application questions. This cohort is open to high school and college students.

Application Deadline: Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST

Cohort Summary:

This upcoming academic year, AAYL is excited to launch its first-ever year-long cohort experience. Participants will collaborate on a community-based project that allows them to apply the knowledge and skills they've gained in the classroom alongside guidance from both current and former AAYL instructors. Each year, the cohort will focus on a different project selected by the program’s instructors and coordinators.

For the inaugural year, students will develop an oral history project centered around the theme: “When I Grow Up I Want to Be…”

Through this project, students will explore a career or field of interest by interviewing a professional currently working in that area within Orange County. They will also conduct archival research through UCI’s collections to learn about someone who worked in that same field in the past. In addition, students may choose to interview a UCI student pursuing a similar path.

The insights and stories gathered through interviews and research will be brought together into a collective project that reflects the diverse aspirations and historical connections of the cohort.

Expectations:

To ensure a meaningful and collaborative experience, all students in the AAYL year-long cohort are expected to meet the following requirements:

Attendance
- Maintain at least 80% attendance for all scheduled cohort check-in meetings.
- 100% attendance is required for the following:
  - Field trips
  - External learning events
  - Final cohort project presentation
Program Participation
- High school students must actively participate in both the AAYL Fall and Spring Programs.
- Maintain a minimum of 80% attendance in both semesters.
- Attendance at each semester's final presentation is mandatory.
Communication
- Respond to all cohort-related communication in a timely and respectful manner.
- Notify instructors/staff in advance of any absences or schedule conflicts.
Collaboration
- Demonstrate strong teamwork skills and a willingness to collaborate with fellow students, instructors, and program staff.
- Contribute actively and respectfully to all group activities, discussions, and project components.
Engagement
- Show consistent initiative, curiosity, and commitment to learning throughout the project.
- Complete all assignments, research tasks, and interview responsibilities on time.

Benefits:

1. Professional development: Gain valuable experience in event planning, networking, and collaboration with undergraduate students, graduate students, and professors.

2. Networking opportunities: Connect with like-minded students, professionals, and community members who share your passion for making a difference.

3. Impactful contribution: Make a real impact on the organization's initiatives and programs, helping shape projects to contribute to the community.

4. Recognition: Acknowledgment of your contributions as a Year-Long Cohort Member, including recommendation letters and certificates of participation/recognition.

5. Compensation: Community service hours for all work completed through the cohort (hours will be tracked) and $250 stipend for students who meet all expectations listed above.

Qualifications:

High School Students: Must be in grade 9-12 for the 2025-2026 academic year; Must have previously participated in an AAYL program (Fall/Spring/Summer)
College Students: Interest in Asian American Studies and Oral History Projects; Previous research experience and/or previous experience working with high school students preferred.

Link to apply: https://tinyurl.com/AAYLOHCOHORT2526

Virtual Reality Year Long Cohort

Thank you for your interest in the AAYL Virtual Reality Year-Long Cohort. Please see the details below for more information about this innovative program and application questions. This cohort is open to high school and college students. No prior VR experience is required to apply.

Application Deadline: Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST

Cohort Summary:

For the 2025–2026 academic year, AAYL is proud to introduce its first-ever Virtual Reality (VR) Year-Long Cohort, a program designed to equip students with hands-on training in immersive technology while promoting creative, community-centered storytelling.

Participants in the VR cohort will receive in-depth training on how to use virtual reality tools and applications to transform stories into fully immersive digital experiences. This includes learning how to use 360° video, VR design software, and digital media tools to visually enhance and reimagine narrative content.

In partnership with AAYL’s In-Person Oral History-focused Cohort, students in the VR cohort will collaborate to bring physical oral history projects to life in virtual environments. This year’s oral history theme is:
“When I Grow Up I Want to Be…”

While the In-Person Oral History Cohort will conduct the interviews and archival research, the VR cohort will focus on interpreting those materials and designing interactive, immersive VR scenes that reflect the themes, people, and places featured in each story. Students will work in creative teams, supported by instructors and guest experts in digital storytelling, to build a final VR showcase that connects past, present, and future career dreams.

The project will culminate in a virtual exhibition and public presentation, allowing community members to explore the stories in a rich and engaging VR format.

Expectations:

To ensure a successful and meaningful experience, all VR Cohort participants are expected to meet the following requirements:

Attendance

Maintain at least 80% attendance for all scheduled VR training sessions, project work meetings, and check-ins.
100% attendance is required for:
- VR orientation and skills workshops
- External learning events or field trips
- Final project showcase

Program Participation

Students in the VR cohort must attend each AAYL semester program’s final project presentation as well as the overall final project showcase.

Communication

Respond promptly and respectfully to all cohort-related messages.
Communicate proactively about any schedule conflicts or tech issues.

Collaboration

Work respectfully and creatively with other students, instructors, and program staff.
Collaborate with the Oral History Cohort to translate interview content into visual storytelling concepts.
Contribute ideas and complete tasks as part of a design or development team.

Engagement

Demonstrate initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm for learning new digital skills.
Complete all design tasks, VR experiments, and creative deliverables on time.

Benefits:

VR Skill Development
Learn to use professional VR tools and platforms to tell powerful stories in digital space
Creative Collaboration
Work side-by-side with students focused on history, research, and storytelling to turn ideas into immersive, experiential media.
Real-World Experience
Gain hands-on practice in multimedia design, project planning, and public presentation.
Recognition
Receive a certificate of participation and eligibility for recommendation letters highlighting your creative and technical contributions.

Qualifications:

High School Students:

Must be in grades 9–12 for the 2025–2026 academic year
Must have previously participated in an AAYL program (Fall/Spring/Summer)

College Students:

Interest in VR design, digital storytelling, media arts, or Asian American Studies

Prior experience with digital tools or mentoring is preferred but not required

Link to apply: https://tinyurl.com/AAYLVRCOHORT2526

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