Ruofei Shang
Pronunciation: roo-fay shaa-ng
I’m a PhD student in American Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. I was a Sociocultural Anthropology undergrad with minors in film and Arabic at Boston University. I received my MA in Literary and Cultural Studies & Film and Media Studies from the University of Hong Kong.
My work focuses on Palestine and SWANA studies, Asian American activism, racial relations, China in Southwest Asia, and transnational/diasporic solidarity movements. I’m also interested in food anthropology, global capital, and critical Muslim studies.
I love cooking, not so much baking. My dream is still to open my own restaurant one day. My favorite color is pink. ENFP. Talk to me about anything!
As Featured In
Beyond King’s Magazine
A Long Way from Home
“King’s also became the place that allowed Shang to explore her interests and passions. “I was given the opportunity to fully develop my hobbies,” she says. “For my entire life, I thought I would become a doctor in the future,” but having left the pressure from school that she felt in China, she managed to find her “genuine interests in cultural studies and media and communications.” In her four years at King’s, Shang has taken part in musicals, visual arts, student leadership, and any other opportunity for growth that she could get her hands on.”
Modernity or Colonialism? The Controversy surrounding ‘Arabizi’
“Unlike many other language communities, a majority of native Arabic speakers, especially those of younger generations, choose to utilize the Latin alphabet to replace Arabic letters in digital communication. This phenomenon is called ‘Arabizi’, a resulting combination of the Arabic words for Arabic (‘A’arabii’) and English (‘Inglizii’). While a majority of Arabic speakers are firm supporters and users of Arabizi, many oppose it entirely, including but not limited to scholars and self-identified nationalists.”
moving countries 101 podcast
Ruofei Shang – China – Jordan – America – Living and Being Educated in 3 Countries
In this episode, Clare is joined by Ruofei Shang who is from Guangzhou in China and is a third-year student studying social-cultural anthropology. She was educated in Jordan, in the Middle East, before moving to America to attend college. Something that turned Ruofei into an incredibly independent person, at a relatively early age. Ruofei explains how being educated abroad inspired her to study anthropology and what it was like transitioning between 3 countries. She also talks about how being exposed to other cultures changes who you are and the impact it has on where you want to live. Including, how she deals with living in places where you sometimes need to be careful about which of your beliefs you share.
Seeing the World through A Lens
“Whatever was happening on campus, you could be pretty sure to find Ruofei Shang’21 in the midst of it. Whether as the highly involved student she was during her four years at King’s Academy, or in her capacity as student photographer for the school’s Department of Communications and Publications, the alumna left her mark on King’s — be it through the images she captured, or through her active engagement in student life. Beyond King’s caught up with Shang, currently a student of sociocultural anthropology, film and Arabic at Boston University, to see how she has kept up with her passion for photography since graduation.”
Mondoweiss
The Real “Big Thief” is Israel: Musical solidarity with Palestine
Sami Martasian of Puppy Problems performing at the Boston Palestine Solidarity Concert on June 3, 2022.
The Boston Palestine Solidarity Concert on June 3, 2022.
Photo by Ruofei Shang.
CET Academic program
Boston University
AAPI Heritage Month On-Campus Trailblazer
Re-Navigating Amman as an Adult
Photo Essay: CET Jordan
There’s More To Life Outside Amman (Maybe)
Leaving Jordan with a Heart Filled with Love
Photos & Articles by Ruofei Shang (Boston University), Student Correspondent for CET Jordan, Summer 2023
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, we interviewed Ruofei Shang (CAS '25) about her student advocacy and activism in the BU Community.
“Being a trailblazer means creating material changes for those around me, both at BU and also beyond in the Boston community.”
CAS Student Spotlight
Ruofei Shang (CAS’25), an anthropology major, shares more about her work as a communications intern at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).