In terms of what families do together, they can be anything from going out to eat hotpot to baking together to shopping trips at Great Wall (a nearby Asian supermarket)! Each family has its own traditions and general vibe, so make sure to get a feel for each one before making your decision. Sometimes, there are also open family events, or events hosted by a particular family that are open to all members of jhuTASA, regardless of the family that you are placed in! This is a really great way to expand your social circle in both TASA and at Hopkins, and we encourage all members to attend events, both those hosted by your family and open ones!
Last year, we also installed a big-little system, where you will be paired up with a big (if you're a new member) or a little (if you're a returning one)! Bigs are there to teach their littles the ins and outs of TASA, and to get to know them better as people! Typically, bigs and littles are paired up by the membership committee within the same family- that means that if you really want someone to be your big, join their family! This isn't a hard and fast rule; there are exceptions that are made sometimes, but it is preferable that you choose someone from your own family. Bigs and littles do a ton of cool stuff together! This past semester, we've had bigs take their littles out to eat, go to arcades, and play games together. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact the membership team or any members of the Executive Board and we'll help you to the best of our abilities!
We're still in the middle of designing and implementing our new family system and would appreciate your feedback on your experience! We can't wait to see you all soon!