Who is Migration Tales?

This Boston University Non-Profit Organization has a wide variety of members of all years and majors. Each with an individual passion for amplifying immigrant voices, the Migration Tales family is uniquely founded by people, for people.

Join Us

As college students, our influence is perhaps small, but if we do not act, who else will?

The light of a single star is dim, but maybe together we can create a galaxy that illuminates our world.

Our talented teammates brought infinite inspiration and hope to this newfound organization. Some are passionate about human rights, some are interested in international policies, and some dedicate to writing and storytelling — but all of them are ready to make a positive impact.

Audrey Shen

Co-President

Audrey is currently a senior majoring in human physiology at Boston University. She was born and raised in San Jose, California, and loves the outdoors. She spends her free time running, watching movies, and cooking/ baking. Audrey also loves volunteering at different organizations and interacting with people. Because of a school project, she interviewed her grandparents about their migration journey from Taiwan, which sparked her interest in migration stories. Audrey joined Migration Tales during her first semester of college because she wants to increase representation and say for migrants. She believes that migrants have beautiful and inspiring stories that could impact the lives of so many people. Audrey hopes that through this website, more people will understand the hardship migrants go through and increasingly treat them with respect and kindness. She is one of the co-founders of Migration Tales and has thoroughly enjoyed bringing it to life. Audrey is the director of recruitment, so please feel free to reach out to her if you have any questions, if you want to share your story, or just chat!

Yiran Yu

Co-founder

Raised along the Yangtze River in China, Yiran grew up staring at the edge of the water, imagining the world beyond her vision. In pursuit of more opportunities, her family migrated to the United States mainly for her and her brother’s education. Yiran had witnessed her family’s daunting immigration process; amidst the challenges, however, she discovered the key source of her family’s perseverance: love. Currently a junior studying International Relations, she dedicates her energy to student publications, including the Daily Free Press and BU Pre-law Review. While interviewing individuals with diverse backgrounds, she found the power of storytelling in fostering cultural awareness and touching hearts near and far. Eager to learn more about global migration and international law, Yiran is currently interning at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Seattle Office and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP). In her free time, she enjoys painting, running, and dancing to K-pop songs! Founding Migration Tales, Yiran hopes to convey more nuanced stories and amplify more marginalized voices. She would love to connect with you!

Gisele Sanchez

Writer

Gisele Sanchez is a sophomore studying Comparative Literature, her love for storytelling began when she was a child growing up in south Texas. She can often be found watching stupidly funny cartoons, studying in the Boston Public Library, or sharing food with friends. She dedicates most her time to learning languages, specifically Korean and Spanish, in hopes of one day becoming a literary translator. Aside from literature, she is deeply passionate about listening to and learning from immigrant stories as a result of growing up just two hours away from the border between Mexico and Texas. As a part of Migration Tales, she hopes to be a part of the effort to amplify voices that are often drowned out by hate and misinformation.

**Samantha Mata**
*Marketing Chair*
Samantha Mata is a proud first-generation Mexican studying advertising at Boston University. I was born and raised in Austin, Texas. Growing up in a low-income and high-minority neighborhood made me realize how much I wanted to bring my roots with me starting my new journey at Boston University. Migration Tales really brought that diversity, inclusion, and loving environment that moment I joined my Sophomore year. I strive to introduce diversity and inclusivity to our Instagram posts by researching facts about other countries and teaching our audience more about what's going on around the world. Outside of MT, I love to explore Boston, and I love to try out new food from different countries!

Maggie Yang

Treasurer

Maggie is a sophomore majoring in Health Science at Boston University. She was born and raised in New York City. As a first generation student, she grew up hearing stories from her family members about their immigration experiences. She enjoys forming connections with other people and believes that Migration Tales will give her the opportunity to do so as she will be able to connect with other people in the immigration community and provide assistance and friendship to each other. On her free time, Maggie enjoys trying out new restaurants, spending time with family and friend, taking walks, and taking pictures.

**Kathleen Wei**
*Podcast Co-Chair*
Kathleen Wei is a first-generation fourth year student at Boston University, studying Biology with a minor in Deaf Studies. Her family is from China, but she was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up as one of the only Asian kids in her classes throughout grade school and as one of the only bilingual students, translating everything for her parents and family. With her only exposure to Chinese culture back at home, this prompted her to immerse herself in sharing the cultures of her family as well as the cultures of others that held the same mutual feelings as her. She joined Migration Tales with the hopes of creating that comfortable space for immigrants and those coming from immigrant families, in order to continue sharing cultures and also addressing important discussions surrounding migration.

**Alondra Hernandez**
*Community Outreach*
Alondra is a sophomore at Boston University studying Education and Human Development with a minor in Deaf Studies. She is from Brownsville, TX, a small town bordering Matamoros, Tamaulipas. This exposure to Mexican-American culture motivated her to share her knowledge with others while taking the time to learn from others with different experiences through Migration Tales. Through this, she also hopes to inspire people to do the same and explore experiences outside of their communities. Outside of academics, Alondra is spending a night in crocheting or exploring the city with her friends.

**Emma Obregon Dominguez**
*Global Affairs Consultant Editor-in-Chief*
As an immigrant from Guatemala who found a second home in the vibrant city of Miami, Emma understands the importance of highlighting the stories of immigrants and first-generation Americans. Her lifelong mission is to give back to the community that warmly embraced her when she first arrived in the United States. Currently, she is a sophomore at Boston University majoring in History and minoring in Public Health. On campus, she is part of the mental health and representation oversight senate committees, a writer for the BPR, and an editor for the BUJH. Emma hopes that by sharing her story, she can provide safe spaces for others to grow and bring about change. She is excited to be part of Migration Tales as she gets to do just that, uplift the voices of the beautiful immigrant community in the United States she is fortunate to be part of. In her free time, Emma loves spending time with friends, making playlists, reading poetry, wandering around Boston, and face-timing her family back home.

Sasa Ramos

Global Affairs Consultant Researcher

Sasa is a first-year at Boston University majoring in Sociology and Political Science. Born in San Francisco to Filipino immigrants, Sasa draws inspiration from the city’s rich history of social movements spearheaded by QTBIPOC leaders. As a Posse Scholar, they advocate for fellow first-generation scholars and students of color on campus. With Migration Tales, they research immigration policy across the world; they hope to pursue immigration law, providing opportunities for immigrant families like their own. Sasa enjoys exploring local thrift stores, curating Spotify playlists, and embracing their culture through cuisine and dance.

**Aury Chavez**
*Website Manager*
Aury is a sophomore at Boston University studying Hospitality Administration with a concentration in Real Estate. Growing up in Austin, Texas, Aury had always been equally exposed to Mexican & American traditions. Originally from Mexico City, her Mom always taught her the importance of embracing your culture. The privilege of having a double nationality has allowed Aury to have a true passion for the integration of cultures and people. Outside of school Aury loves to go to lift and go to Brookline with friends!