The Asian-interest publication that started over a cup of bubble tea.

Big Straw is a student-run, Asian-interest publication that celebrates the creative talent and intellectual depth of the Asian and Asian American community at Carnegie Mellon University. Founded with the goal to cultivate and spread ideas relevant to Asians and Asian Americans, we provide students with an outlet for artistic expression, cultural identity, and thought.

Whether you’re interested in or have experience with any of these fields:

• Writing

• Editing

• Art

• Design

• Photography

• Creative Thinking

• Web Design

• Marketing

• Social Media

…or simply have a desire to explore Asian/Asian American culture and issues further, we welcome you to join and build with us!

Our Story

Our magazine started in Spring 2006 as part of a 73-100 Interpretation and Argument class on Asian American Literature. John Eperjesi, the professor at the time, was finishing his doctorate at CMU and leaving for Korea soon. He assigned his students a final project: to create an Asian-interest magazine that would be published and distributed to the campus community. The students worked on the magazine after class and met with the professor over bubble tea, and the first issue was released at the end of the semester.

Our Mission

1. Provide an outlet for Asians and Asian Americans to think, express, discuss, and create.
2. Explore the complexities of Asian and Asian American culture and increase awareness about cultural and sociopolitical issues experienced by Asians and Asian Americans.
3. Break down barriers and enable students to discover more about themselves and others rather than defining or reshaping Asian and Asian American culture.
4. Produce an insightful, educational, and professional magazine.