Deng is one of my chinese friends that attends my school, he's from beijing and this is his(mine too!) interview:

When did your family arrive in the United States?
…like 13 years ago.
What were your parent’s occupations?
…uh, my parents, they were both teachers, but my dad is now a teacher and my mom is a cook at a restaurant in Chinatown. They work all day and night and it’s hard for me staying alone.
Do you or your family have any stories that you would like to share with me?
I’m sorry but I think that we don’t have any.
Where were you from? Talk about how you got to America
Beijing… I don’t know I think I was three years old back then. We just came for the American dream. So I think one day my mom and dad applied for the visas and then we just came suddenly.
Can you describe me any discrimination that you’ve ever faced?
As I said I was too little when I got here, but I remember once that some kids were laughing at me because I punched someone by accident and they thought that I was going to do some weird kung-fu type of thing, so they began mocking me.
Did you feel caught between two worlds?
Sometimes because you go to school and you interact with different people and when I go home I know that I’ll be somewhere different than in school.
In what ways did or do you feel like an outsider?
When I speak English or Chinese.
Can you talk about the differences in the culture inside the Chinese and the American home?
Chinese people are very traditional; hard working people while Americans are more liberal about it.
What were your parent’s expectations of you?
To study, be a doctor, and marry.
How do you view the importance of education?
It’s very important that’s what keeps the world going on.
How is American individualism different from Chinese culture?
I don’t know…
How do you view marriage outside the Chinese American community?
As a union between two individuals.
Do you think being accepted as an American is an issue for you?
No. Whatever people think about this shouldn’t bother me
Would you like to say something else?
Yes. What’s this for?
For my Chinese class… thank you so much
No problem.
Critical thinking questions.
It’s more difficult now to get your own identity because there are millions of people applying for a visa. Also there are a lot of illegal people in the States. An American in my opinion is someone that is working hard in this continent in order to improve its economy. It is someone that studies hard in order to be successful, that’s an American.
I think that all immigrants share the same dreams (achieving the American Dream) so that’s why most of us can relate to each other, and I also think that all immigrants have the same plans for their children, and most of the kids have nothing else to do, but to obey. Well we’re pretty much alike in the sense that Deng immigrated, he had to learn another language and he has to deal with two cultures every day. My family came to the U.S. I was 14(or 13) and I resented my parents because they took away all the things that I was used to deal with (family, friends, etc.). Now I’m starting to forgive them because I think they had a good reason to do it, right?

It was great to work with the class!

I liked the Startalk’s Chinese program in general. It was a great classroom experience, and it makes me want to be a teacher even more. Our students worked very hard in these four weeks. A few of them improved significantly through this program. The summer Chinese class was successful for its first year. I believe it will get more organized in the future. Next year, I suggest including lunches for the instructors, and making sure there are sufficient amount of food for the class. But, thanks Nick for picking up lunches for Mrs. Kessel and me everyday. It was very nice of him, and it saves a lot of time. Also, I wish I could get my ID earlier, so I can use it for copying materials for the class. Overall, I think this program provides a lot for the kids, not only in learning Chinese language, but also in adapt Chinese culture. The students used this opportunity wisely, and I think they are more interested in Chinese than before. If it's possible, I would like to do this again next summer! Thank you!

The Students' Feedback

This intense Chinese summer program helped us a lot in four weeks. We learned over a hundred words, and four chapters in the New practical chinese Reader text book. We have 17 students in this class, and we all worked very hard. Although, learning Chinese language is difficult, especially when learning in a faster pace, we still improved a lot in speaking, writing, and reading. The chapters we learned about library, bank, shopping mall, and how to change the bus when you are lost. They are very useful. We like the free breakfast, but lunches are not very good. Most of people in class think it was a great experience, and they would like to do it again if possible. A lot of people like different teaching techniques Mrs. Kessel used. We also think TianShu is a great teaching assistant. Both teachers helped us to improve a lot. This program triggers our interest in learning Chinese, and a few people mentioned they will visit China in the future.

American family project

Sue Yu

他 家有六个人。妈妈,爸爸，姐姐,妹妹,弟弟和他。他是 四十五岁。一九五 零年他的家从北京.他是 美国-中国人.

1。When did your family arrive in the United States?
In 1950

2. What is your and your family’s occupation ?
I'm a social worker and my family owns a cleaner / laundry mat.

3. Do you have any interesting stories?
"Yes ,I have a funny one. When I was high school many of my Caucasian friends had curls in their heads ,that I liked so much. So in order to fit in one of my friends put a chemical in my hair to make my hair like theirs. But it caused my hair to fall out. Now when I look back I regret it."

4. Where does your family come from?
My Father and mother came as immigrants .

5. Describe discrimination you have faced .
She said that she has faced it all her life. People always stereotype her as being smart.And when she was little kids use to tease her because of her physical characteristic. For example kids use to make fun of her eyes and accent.

6.Can you tell me the difference between the culture difference in American and in Chinese homes?
In American culture the children are allowed to voice their opinion
more and are more valued.But in Chinese culture the elders are more valued and children aren't supposed to voice their opinion as much to show respect.

7.In what ways did or do you feel like an outsider?
She wanted to fit in with her friends but her family encouraged her to stay close to the family. so she ended up have a conflict with what she was taught and what she felt.

8.How do you view marriage "outside the Chinese-American community"?
Her family felt that you marry inside the Chinese race and would not except interracial dating.

9.Did you feel caught between two worlds?
Yes because she wanted to eat the American style food but her mother only cooked Chinese style food in order to keep their tradition going.

Critical Thinking questions

• I think that many immigrants have it bad now because of whats happenng in the world .Many people immigrants are taking the jobs of many americans. So many americans take out their anger on them, but i believe it isn't right. It's not the immigrants fault that they are more qaulifeid and were able to get the job. I support inviting immigrants into the United States because not only do they help or economy grow ,they make our country into the great country it is today.
• I think that being a american today means to be a natrual born citizens, support your country ,pay your taxes and live an ideal american life.In america you are expected to go to colloge and if you were ever drafted you'er supposed to fight for your country.
• I learned that the chinese race also went to similar barriers as my ancestors did. Like how African Americans and chinese are always the minority race in every thing.Also how hard life is if you are of a different race. This also told me the tell of an average Chinese American

黄美

黄美回来美国1990年。她，她的爸爸和妈妈，也两个弟弟和一个妹妹。她去芝加哥。她的学校是Senn。 她的家没有宠物，可是她喜欢够。她喜欢美国。

Huang Mei came to America in 1980, when she was 18. Although she was born and raised in Vietnam, her parents were both Chinese. To this day, she identifies and calls herself Chinese. She came to America with her mother, father, and three of her siblings.

Huang Mei fled Vietnam when the communists took over the country. At first, her and her family fled to Malaysia, where they stayed in a refugee camp until they were accepted by the US as immigrants. But, their flight through Vietnam was harrowing. After boarding a refugee boat with her father, which was grossly overloaded with people, the boat broke down in the middle of the sea. There they drifted, until they were picked up by Malaysian fisherman, who brought them to the edge of the shore. (It was illegal for Malaysian fisherman to bring in refugees as the camps were grossly overcrowded. If they were caught, they would lose their fishing license.)She was stuck in the Malaysian camp for four weeks before she was finally allowed to come to the US.

After she reached the US, she flew to Chicago. Here, she went to Senn High School located on the Northside near Andersonville. High school was a hard time for her. She was mocked for her accents and her inability to speak English. At home, her parents worked small, non-skilled labor jobs in order to support themselves. For her high school years, she lived in poverty. Finally, her parents work paid off and they were able to purchase an apartment near uptown.

Two years after arriving in America, things changed. Huang Mei had learned how to speak English, and was becoming close to fluent. She went two college and got a 2 year associate degree. She got a job as a technician, and today, lives and works in Andersonville.

Critical Thinking Questions

Today, in America, forging a new identity is a new challenge. Back 50 or 60 years ago, all immigrants lived in the same community, faced the same discrimination, and all bore the same burden. Take Chinatown for example: 60 years ago, 9 out of 10 people from china who immigrated to Chicago settled in Chinatown. There you could forge your own identity among people of your same culture, but you would still be seen the same by “Americans.” Today, that has changed, but the stereotypes have remained. People coming to America can live anywhere. No longer is it that 9 out of 10 Chinese immigrants in Chicago settle in Chinatown. Now that population is vastly spread out. Yet the stereotypes formed 60 years ago still remain, but that is true for every culture. History has proven that disproving stereotypes is one of the hardest things to do in the world.

Being American has two connotations. To some immigrant coming from a refugee camp, America is the land of opportunity. “Freedom of speech, religion, and just about everything else. A fair government and a free market. Here is a chance to start over again. Anything is possible here, it is just requires work. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Yet many see America as a Scrooge. The war in Iraq shows that that “America is greedy, intent on policing the world. They are a culture of sex, violence, and greed. They have no true culture, no respect. Money, money, money.” These are the two ends of the “Being American” spectrum. Most Americans tend to fall in the middle, or slightly toward the first definition.

I personally had always identified America as a land of opportunity, even though I believe that America’s foreign policy is that of greed and war. Doing this interview made me truly realize that America really is a land of opportunity. When you take someone, say from Vietnam with an oppressive government, and show them America, to them it is just like heaven. We all hear of the success stories, but only sometimes do we hear of the hard work that is required. This interview confirmed that America is a land of opportunity, but to fully reach this opportunity, you need hard work. As they say, “Freedom is really free”.

My family had it soft compared to Huang Mei and her family. I’m a mix of German, Irish, and some French and Swedish. My parents came to America over a hundred years ago. They have been settled here comfortably for years. While it required hard work for them back then, they didn’t have to endure the camps or dreadful sea voyages. Back then, all you had to do was buy a ticket to America. Now, you need someone to sponsor you if you are a refugee, you have to wait in camps. My family came looking for some work, and better times. They weren’t fleeing an oppressive government that would kill them. Both of the families had to work. But, Huang Mei and her family had a much harder time. Back then, being white helped you out, as those of a different skill color are discriminated against. Sadly, it today’s world, it is easier for someone of Caucasian descent (who is an immigrant) to find work then it is for someone who is Chinese. (Especially if you are an immigrant, but it is still hard even if you are a natural citizen.) While all races still experience stereotypes, (Irish are hard drinkers, Norwegians are good skiers, Chinese are good at math…) the most oppressive stereotypes fall on those that look and act different from the American norm.

Lizz: Chinese American Project

Kelly Au

Kelly Au is 我的同学们也我的朋友。她 中国-美国人。她的家从香港，可是现在她的家住美国。她十六岁。 她的家有四个人。爸爸，妈妈，妹妹，和她。她去 Walter Payton College Prep 学校。


Kelly Au is the person I chose to interview. She is my dear friend, and classmate at Walter Payton College Prep. Kelly is 16 years old and resides in Chicago’s south side near White Sox Park. Her family consists of herself, her father, mother, and younger sister named Lydia. Kelly’s family first came to America in the summer of 1975 when her father chose to attend college here. Her family was originally from Hong Kong, China. Most of her knowledge and perspective is based on family views. She says that when her family first came people mostly stayed in groups based on ethnicity, also that her parents hung out mostly in the Chinatown area. Though the discrimination was not as apparent to them, it was still present. Though Kelly is Chinese-American, she still stays in touch with her Chinese cultural roots. She speaks Cantonese to her parents while at home, watches Chinese television, celebrates traditional Chinese holidays, participates in ancestral worship, eats Chinese food, used Chinese medicine, and is currently enrolled in a Mandarin Chinese class at school. (Wow! That’s a lot!). Kelly’s family, like others, has put an extremely large emphasis on her education, especially in the math and science areas. She states “In grade school, when I got more than two B’s on my report card, I would get yelled at so much that I would cry”. Kelly has a high value of her education, which is mostly due to her family’s encouragement, emphasis on grades, and her strong will to succeed. Kelly’s parent’s main goal for her is to get into a good college, get a good job, and they want her to be more than “smarts” which is why she is enrolled in Judo. When asked about inter-racial dating, Kelly states that her parents would not have issues with it, however her grandparents would be highly skeptical. The skepticism, she acknowledges, is due to them being part of the “older” generation. Through Kelly participates in a high amount of Chinese and American activities, she sometimes feels lost in the American culture due to the emphasis on pop culture. She states that she is not as knowledgeable about certain T.V. shows because the Chinese station was turned on almost 24/7. Though is may be a bit rough growing up in an area surround by a different culture than your parents, Kelly handles it very well and states, “I rarely feel unaccepted. I have awesome friends!”

Critical Thinking
Based on the high number of immigrants I think that it is hard to preserve an individual identity. Having so many people present causes others to group people into categories based on race, ethnicity, and social-economical background.

Being American today emphasizes a certain freedom. It represents the idea of possibilities outside of the general “in-the-box” thinking. People, when thinking of America and what it represents, often think of a melting pot where many different people come to succeed in what they chose to do.

I learned so much through this interview. Not only did I learn more about a close friend and her family, I learned about another culture more in-depth. Comparing my situation to Kelly’s is somewhat difficult because we grew up in different situations. Such as education, education is so very important in my household, however there is more leeway. Also, something similar is dealing with what some would call a culture class, even just the differences of growing up on the Northside or the Southside creates a difference in ideas. People should remember that there are all types of people in this world and that to be prejudice and discriminatory towards them is their loss, because they will not come to know so many things.

Becoming American: Yi Min Zhong

我妈妈的名字叫钟毅敏。

她来自中国, 她住在中国广州市。她从1990跟我的爸爸来美国：她是二十五岁来。她的家有妈妈，爸爸，和两个哥哥。她来美国以后住在芝加哥。她现在有两个孩子， 我和我的弟弟。

Before my mother came to America, my father had already traveled to America to earn some money in order to help her come to America. Before my father came to America, his father (my grandfather) came to America to earn some money to help him come to America. Even before that, my grandfather’s sister had helped him come to America thanks to her husband. Even before my parents came to America, they already had a minor bit of income from jobs as dishwashers and busboys in Chinese restaurants.

When my mother came to China in 1990 with my father, her first priority was to learn English. She enrolled in an “English as a second language” class at Truman College, which offered the classes for free. While she was taking the classes, she was pregnant with me in her stomach. After she had given birth to me in February 1991, she stopped attending the classes in order to take care of me. Although she didn’t get to spend much time learning Chinese at Truman, she already had a familiar understanding of the language because of her previous English classes back in China.

After the classes at Truman she found work at a Dominicks near the apartment which my father had bought. Although she already knew a bit of English, she only worked as a bagger. She received a modest amount of $3.50 an hour for 4 hours a day. She started saving up her money during that period.

After only half a year working at Dominicks, my father had decided to start his own business. Like many Chinese-Americans immigrating to America at that time, he had a dream of starting and owning his own business. My mother and my father had both opened up a Chinese restaurant in Veron Hills. After two years of slow business, they both decided to sell the restaurant.

My mother describes her adjustment to America as a relatively smooth one. Before she came to Chicago, her friends told her about the violence and gangs in Chicago. My mother remained relatively open-minded about the opportunity to go to America. Once she arrived in America, she didn’t face any discrimination or hardships as other Chinese immigrants might have. She thought of most Americans as rather friendly and easy to get along with.

When she came to America she had left her friends, brothers, and parents behind. Although she felt lonely and out of place most of the times, she still tried to keep hopeful and remain open-minded about America. She had the mindset to learn English in order to better fit in with American society.

My mother feels that there are many differences between Chinese and American cultures. For instance, the first differences she noticed were between the politeness of American people and Chinese people. She said that Americans were more willing to let pedestrians cross the street whereas in China, people would run you over if you tried to walk in front of their car. In other instances, she also says that Americans are more willing to spend their money and enjoy themselves. She notices that Americans are more likely to spend their paycheck immediately where Chinese people would save up their paycheck and only spend a small portion of it on necessities. She even noticed that Americans were more generous. At restaurants, she saw that American people were more likely to tip better then Chinese people. In some aspects she felt American culture was friendlier then Chinese culture.

In other aspects she felt that American culture was lacking. She feels that America didn’t put as much emphasis in education for their children as China did. She also feels that respect in regards to elders wasn’t as much of an importance in American culture. She feels that in American culture, there is more emphasis placed on individualism rather then family first values of Chinese culture.

My mother was expected to continue her education when she came to America, and to generally live a better life in America. She views education as a very important matter. She feels that education is imperative for our future because it will give us more opportunities in life and a more likely chance for us to live a better life. My mother feels that as long as a person is happy with who they’re with, it doesn’t matter what race or color they are. She feels that becoming accepted as an American is not an issue for her.

Critical Thinking

There are still hundreds of thousands of people from China that dream of coming to America, and hundreds of thousands do make the trip to America every day. Coping with the sudden change in culture isn’t an easy task, but I believe it has gotten easier in the recent years, and it will only continue getting easier. More and more people in China learn English in school, and it will only help them better adjust themselves to American culture if they immigrate to America.

Today in America, I feel that the most important factor in being considered American is the ability to speak English fluently. Without this ability, it is hard to be recognized as an American. Socially and culturally, I think America has become more accepting of other cultures. There isn’t as much discrimination and confusion about other cultures because we are being educated about other cultures more and more.

Speaking with my mother definitely helped me understand the different types of cultures and experiences that she felt as an immigrant in America. I am sure that there are many different types of experiences with different types of Chinese-Americans that compare and differ. I know for sure that the hardships that the older generations (my grandfather) faced were much more difficult.

I have a greater respect for my family, especially my elders, for putting in the hard work and dedication in finding a job and making a living in a country that they have never been to before. They are the bravest people I know, for enduring the discrimination that they had to face once they arrived to America. It is thanks to them that we have the lifestyle that we have today. It is only their dream that we live a better life then they did, and that is my mother’s dream, too.

Interview with Joan Lu by Carlos

-Lu Laoshi doesn’t have a picture of herself due to the fact that she doesn’t wish to be photographed. I respected her decision and she asked me to represent her in the form of a simple drawing.-

今天我给我的老师面试Lu老师是我的老师在Northside.她从一九九零住在美国。她从南京来美国住了十年有多她的已婚。她的父母住在中国。她是中国人。现在她学习老师的班因为她想成为一个中文老师。Lu老师很聪明。因为她想expand her studies所以他要去美国。Lu 老师教我们较得非常好。
Interview:

I was born and grew up in Nanjing, a big city in southeastern part of China. Nanjing used to be the capital of six Chinese dynasties and of the Republic of China before it moved to Taiwan in 1949. I went to college in Nanjing and had worked as an editor in a publishing company in Nanjing for seven years before I went abroad.

I came to the United States in 1990 to take the graduate studies in UCLA. I had wonderful experience in UCLA. I did not only gain a lot of academic knowledge, but also made lots of friends with different ethnic backgrounds and got to know American culture. I was awarded scholarship every year because of my academic performance. I also taught undergraduate students on Chinese history for two years in UCLA. I did not feel direct discrimination as a new immigrant probably because I was in a university, where a person's merit or academic performance is viewed more important than anything else.

As for the question of being caught between two worlds, I sometimes do feel confused about my identification. When I went back to China to visit my parents and friends, local Chinese people considered me as an "outsider". I did not know or were not interested in lots of things they talked about. But here in the U. S., many people perceive me as a foreigner--an "outsider" of American society, too. I think I belong to a special group of people: Chinese American or American Chinese. We have our own points of view on many issues and our own specific interests.

In a Chinese family, parents usually have high expectations of their children. They especially want their children to do well academically. Sometimes parents expect their children to fulfill their own unfulfilled dreams. In this way they put too much pressure on their children. In an American family, parents usually do not focus so much on their children's academic performance. They allow their children more freedom to do things the children want to do. As a result, children in an American family are usually more independent than children in a Chinese family.

I was really lucky that neither my parents nor my husband had specific expectation of me. I could choose to do anything I would like to do. I chose my career and profession on my own. I was not pressured to study or do anything I was not interested.

I believe education is very important to a person, a family and a country. Education is the foundation for a person's achievement in future life. However, formal school education is only one way of education. There are many ways to attain education in a person's life. For example, Bill Gates dropped out in college, but he continued to be self educated in computer world and became successful eventually.

As I mentioned earlier, American culture emphasizes more on individualism and self independence than Chinese culture. On the contrast, the Chinese culture stresses the importance of family interests and the interests of the society as a whole rather than individualism. Individualism sometimes is considered as a negative thing by Chinese society.

I do not think being accepted as an American is an issue for me, because everybody is different. I do not believe there is a unified standard for being an American. Some people talk about "main stream" of American society. I would like to ask: What is the "main stream"? Who can represent the "main stream"? Except for Native Americans, everybody came to America from different parts of the world. No-body's culture is superior than others. Nobody can claim that their ethnic group is more "American" than others. I respect other people's culture and try to gain more understanding of their culture, but I do not think that I need to seek specific "acceptance" from others. Everybody is equal.

Critical thinking As the times of America change, so do the immigration trends. There’s a massive, massive, immigrant trend coming from our borders, from Mexico. As the time passes there has been movements created by immigrants which put a rise in the attention immigration gets. There has been a failed attempt to change or create an amnesty for immigrants who are here “illegally” but with no great success. The government clearly said，“there will be more examples to show immigrants how serious we are about retaining immigration,” saying fear is going to be put to use to stop immigration. Even though the ones being are “illegals” that contains the majority of immigrants of this age and time. Being able to create a new identity for new immigrants is impossible, America is going more and more conservative in not allowing more immigrants to change the American way of life, they want new immigrants to adapt to the already existing system, a new identity would be shot down. It’s hard to describe a true American today, but in my eyes an American is, and always will be, a Native American. I learned to perceive your dream and not be one, to not fit into one category that people have set for you. I learned about the perseverance that Lu Laoshi has to increase her knowledge, to increase her learning, first by coming to America to UCLA to even learning to become a Chinese teacher. The cultural aspect is that Chinese people are very centered on education and wish for their offspring to become the best person possible, but as in Lu Laoshi case, she doesn’t have that pressure put on her, she chose her own career which she loves and is herself while still having a great Chinese background. Lu Laoshi experience compared to my family’s is something of relevance, both came to America to increase their studies. My family also is centered on education, if you have an education you will have a good life. Education is the most essential thing a person should have and get and both believe that everyone in the world is equal.

Chinese American Project

Introduction:

Zhuo Mao 是我的姐姐朋友。他的家有三个人。他没有哥哥还是姐姐。他从2001住在美国。他不在芝加哥可是住在Bloomington-Normal. 他的爸爸和妈妈不在芝加哥。Zhou Mao 二十岁。他出血远在Wesleyan. 以后，Zhuo成学校他想回家在中国 。

Summary of Questions:

Zhuo Mao is a student who attends Illinois Wesleyan. He is in the United States now to finish his last 2 years in college. His family was in Illinois until he was old enough to go off on his own and to be able live by himself and at the same time finish school. His family moved back to China with his grandparents so that way they would be able to live closer to the rest of his family without having to travel so far just to see each other. After Zhuo finishes college he is really planning to move back to china so that way he would be able to live and be close to the rest of his family and be closer to the ones he love and who love him.

Zhuo first came to the United States in 2001. His parents felt that him coming when he would be a freshman in high school would be a good idea so that way he would not have to leave school at his native country in the middle of his schooling. When he came to the United States he was extremely excited to be traveling in general because his family never really traveled like that before. Zhuo had heard so much about this country ever since his family was expecting to move here and even a lot before then. His parents only stayed for about four years and went back to china, leaving behind their son. They left it to his decision if he wanted to stay and finish college or go back to china. But he decided to stay in the America so that he would be able to finish college and then later would decide probably that he would want to move back with the rest of his family.

Zhuo feels as though the hardest part of being here was just adjusting to the lifestyles of Americans. But after getting adjusted to how people were in the U. S he didn’t mind staying for as long as he has. He doesn’t feel like an outsider as he thought he would have felt when he traveled from china but instead he feels more involved with the American cultural as well. His family has many expectations of him while he lives here. One of the main one of his expectations is that he would not ever forget where he came from, who he is, and more importantly his culture.

Critical Thinking:

I feel that today it would be easier for immigrants to be able to create a new identity if they wanted to. Times now is not as strict as in comparison to how life was back then years ago. It also wouldn’t be as hard for people to survive here because they would not be alone in what ever task in which they might would be trying to achieve. Support would mostly be able to come mostly from your own race and because America is composed of several different ethnic backgrounds finding support would be easy. To be an American today in my opinion you mainly have to have pride in your country (America). You also have to be able to show your respect, pride and also have to represent your own country. Doing this interview has made me think about the kind of impact that going or moving someplace else could have on you. It has also helped me to understand other people’s point of view of how they are treated and what they go through coming to a new place and basically being considered as an outcast.

________________________________________________________________________

Please note:

Ø that most answers are quotes but some are summaries of what the speaker had to say.

Ø some extremely personal questions were not included for the connivance and respect of the speaker.

§ A few questions from the actual interview:

Do you feel caught between two worlds?

“No I don’t feel caught I jus feel as though my life is just continuing and I am learning from the different aspects of it.”

Do you like your stay so far?

“Yes, I have been enjoying my experience for the few years that I have been here. I like the experience of different aspects of life here in America.”

Do you like being the only child?

“I like being the only child, because when I was younger it meant that all the attention is being focused on me.” “And when I was younger I like the idea of not have to really be worried about being looked over when having a brother or sister(sibling).”

What language are you most fluent in?

“Well I guess you can say that I am bilingual in English and Chinese.” “I am so good at Chinese because of my background and in English because of the things which I have learned during the years I have been in the United States.”

Are you accepted as who you are with other races?

“Yeah, I would really think so.” “Well especially the ones that I am befriended with I guess you can say that we really get along.”

Do other people tend to give you a hard time?

“Not really, although it depends on the location of where I am”

-What do you mean?

“Well the location would put an affect on the race/kinds of people that are around” “And……. well, some people might jus have grown up being rude and also with bad attitudes.” “But for the most part I am treated well especially at the school which I attend.”

Give a summary of this type of experience.

“Well its jus that depending on the types of people they would rarely stare and would most often mock me after I am talking in my other language/dialect.”

Have you ever visited China?

Yes. I have live there for abut fifteen years of my life.

Do you like it in the United States?

Yes I feel that although it is something different then what I was originally use to I still like that idea of this new adventure, I would call it.”

Do you and your family really carry on the Chinese customs?

“Yeah but my grandparents, parents, cousins, and etc. really carry on those kinds of customs. They always participate in the Chinese customs, eat the Chinese food, and treat company they way that Asians are known to do in China.” As for me I still eat the food but while I am in the United States I am not really as geeked out about those customs as I use to be.”

Chinese American Family: The Chan Family

Introduction

我访问 Wade Chan. 他的家有思个饪他的妈妈， 爸爸，哥哥， 和 他的。 他 的 妈妈 证 券 经 纪 人 助 手. 他 的 爸爸 计 算 机 科 学 人 员 。他 的 哥 哥 药 剂 师 。 他 房 地 产 开 发 人 员。

Interview:

Marshae: When did your family arrive in the United States?

Wade: in 1968

Marshae: Were you born in China and bought to America?

Wade: No, I was born in America.

Marshae: Have you sat down with your parents and talked about their arrival to the United States?

Wade: Yes

Marshae: Did your parents face discrimination coming to America? If so, what kind of discrimination?

Wade: Yes, They did but I don’t know exactly to what extend.

Marshae: Did your parents feel caught between two worlds?

Wade: They kind of did because they wanted to make sure they sure they kept some of our Chinese traditions but we also use American traditions. For example, in our home we still eat Chinese traditional food.

Marshae: Can you tell some of the differences in the culture inside the Chinese and the American culture?

Wade: First of all the Chinese home is more of a family structured home meaning that the family communicates and interacts with each other. The homes are more warming and have more ancient things than American homes. In china they don’t use spices such as salt and pepper whereas in America those are the most used spices.

Marshae: Since you were born in America what were your parent’s expectations of you?

Wade: Basically my parents expected me to be better than them and get a great education.

Marshae: Do you feel that your parents made the right decision in moving to America?

Wade: Yes, I think they made a great decision because there are more and better opportunities in America than in China.

My Chinese-American friend: 张宇辰 (Zhang Yuchen)

张宇辰是我的非常好的朋友。 2005 年她从北京来芝加哥。2004年 她的爸爸和妈妈来芝加哥，她的爸爸是中国的领事。张宇辰的爸爸要她去学校在美国。 他要张宇辰学英文。2005 年我会面她。她也是学生在Walter Payton 。那时她说一点儿英文。 她太害羞了。 然后我给她介绍。 我们成为好朋友。 她帮助我中文说得较好的。我帮助她英文说得较好的。 现在她英文说得非常好！我问她.“你从北京来 美国怎么样？”。 这是她的历史。

As I said in my introduction, I met my good friend Yuchen in our freshman year. At that point, she had just moved to Chicago from Beijing and barely spoke any English. We were both paired up on the first day of school to do a physics experiment, and she wasn't able to communicate with me at all except for saying "My English is not good. I don't understand." Then, I noticed that she was in many of my classes, and I offered to help her out. Throughout the year, we talked more and more about her family and previous life in Beijing, and the differences in our culture. I not only helped her get through her classes, but became a sort of secondary English teacher for her. I helped her with her English As A Second Language class papers, proofreading, and correcting grammar. She then offered to help me with my Chinese, introducing me to her family and many of the Consuls at her father's office. So, when I heard about this project, I was extremely excited to ask her more about her experience coming to America just two years ago.

In 2004, her father, a diplomat for the Chinese government, was assigned to work in the Chicago Chinese Consulate. Yuchen was in her last year of middle school, attending a very prestigious and selective school connected to the famous Beijing University. Her father and mother both left that year to come to Chicago, leaving Yuchen to stay in the dorms at school part time while living with her grandparents the other part. In 2005, when Yuchen was ready to enter high school, her father decided to have her come to study in America. He thought that learning more English and having experience in America would leave her well prepared for her future. She was very excited. When she got to Chicago, she noticed that "the American world is very different from the Chinese world: different culture, different language, and different environment." in her own words. However, she adapted extremely well, though she would never admit it out of modesty. When I asked her how she felt being an immigrant to America, she said that sometimes she feels like an outsider. However, she notes that while she's seen racism and discrimination, she's never experienced it herself. She feels "outside" in that she feels that English has served as a barrier that keeps her from interacting with society.Her own shyness keeps her from approaching even students at school to talk about normal teenaged things, and feels that sometimes people don't really "like" to talk to her either. I've noticed that when she talks to her parents, other students coming from China, and even to our Chinese teacher, she is a different person. She's more relaxed and isn't the same shy person everyone sees her as. She says she prefers to "watch and listen" to what's going on around her. She wants to learn from her surroundings, learn what people have to say, and learn about American culture while also maintaining her Chinese cultural ties. However, while she wants to integrate into American society, she does not want to be an American. Her hopes for the future are "go to college in America, get a Masters Degree, and then if I can find a job and work here for a few years that would be great. That way I will have the experience of working here in America. Finally, I should go back to China." When she said this, I was shocked. I had never known, after talking to her about her life these last few years that she eventually had plans of leaving. When I asked her about marriage in the future, she told me this: a marriage to a Chinese-American or a native Chinese person would be fine. However, she says she could not marry a person outside the "Chinese community" because of the culture differences.

Talking to her parents, they told a very similar story as to their expectations for Yuchen. They want her to learn, study hard (which she does: she's a straight A and B student, regardless of the language difference, having special talent in math and science. Right now she's in several learning summer camps that range from the University of Chicago Math Camp to a SAT/ACT prep course), get a good job, and go back to China. They've always said that they wanted her to get a job as an engineer or in the field of science, but that's not where she wants to be. She says that she would much rather be a teacher. What kind? A Chinese teacher, of course.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE CHINESE-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE
I think that in today's time, where people have immigrated to America from all over the world, "inventing" a new identity isn't so much an issue. In my friend's case, the only real concessions she's had to make are language ones, not having to reshape her identity as a person. She accepts and even loves her Chinese heritage, and it's very pleasing to see American acceptance of that. I feel that today, people are accepted more readily for who they are because of the diversity of the country. In my opinion, it's no longer a nation where you have to copy mainstream culture to be accepted. Being an American now is a broad category. I think that the only thing that really ties Americans together is the geography. We all live in America, but outside of that the diversity is incredible. Different languages, different cultures, and different ethnic towns exist in almost every city in America. This is one of the things I learned through not only interviewing 张宇辰, but also through talking to her these last two years. I realized that though we come from different cultures, we get along as well as any two friends would. I think this is because I can appreciate where she's coming from and I hold respect for Chinese language and culture. However, there are some people even in our school who would rather not have to bother with the "new girl from China" and never get the chance to know her. This proves to me that the solution to the discrimination and problems Chinese-Americans face could really be as simple as respect, understanding, and exposure to other cultures. I really wish I had an ethnic history half as great as Yuchen's. I really don't know where I belong, other than the fact that one half of my family immigrated over from England before the Revolution, and the other half was natively German quite a few generations down the line. I wish I had a stronger identity with my heritage and I wish I could speak a heritage language other than English. This makes me respect and understand why she wants to hold on to her Chinese roots so strongly.

--Olivia Lopez 罗安

Becoming American: Fong Lou

Fong Lou 是我的好朋友. 有姐姐和妹妹在美国。她从1987住在美国。先在旧金山，然后在芝加哥。她的父母死了。他姐姐有三个男孩子也有一个女孩子。她妹妹也有三个男孩子也有一个女孩子。她有一个女孩子。她有一个女儿。她跟女儿的家在芝加哥生活。她的女儿有两个孩子。她常常照顾他们。他们都是好孩子。她住在我家的公寓楼，在三楼。

Every time I knock on my third floor neighbor’s door, sometimes to ask for the rent, sometimes to offer some homemade treats, I always indulge upon the heavy smell of incenses that seem to pervade her floor. Having not known too much about my neighbor, except for her Chinese-American nationality, and the occasional bump-ins, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from this interview. My most distinctive memories of her consisted of her monthly rituals of burning myriads of golden paper and imitation money (in one occurrence a whole garbage can melted after she disposed the burned paper). Occasionally my grandma also does so, thus I considered it an interesting parallel between these two elderly women. And thus, for the purpose of this project and my own curiosity, I find myself at her doorstep.

Just as every time, I wait a little for the sounds of raucous from her two youthful grandchildren and roar of the television to settle down, and promptly she opens the door. In that sort of grandmotherly look or maybe better yet Chinese courtesy, she offers a warm smile and warm greeting into her home. Having previously taken some very short-lived however fruitful lessons of Mandarin from her, she’s always curious as to my progression. I’m hoping in a year or two I can hold a casual conversation with her. Onwards to the interview, I asked her the fundamental questions of her migration. Born and brought up in Canton, ChinaCambodia and finally to the United States. As a young girl of eight, Fong recalled the conditions of living in her home country. "Before in China my family is poor. You know, the war. My grandpa, my grandma- passed away too. My great grandpa is old and I must to help my grandpa." Fong took the task of caring for her great grandfather, while also providing for herself. This included cooking, cleaning, and other motherly chores. "I must go help working in the house too. I helped with cooking -- just nine years old! To cooking, to picking up the water. We don't have the water like the sink here. We go pick up the water." Her schedule was very busy, in which there was no free time at home. "Get up early, six o'clock. Go water, come to the home. Then after finish I cooking and finish eating and go to school and go shopping too. Go buy food, and cook food." Also during this time, the word "toy" seemed like a distant item to her. At this age, the adorable dolls and action figures that are commonly indulged upon by typical nine year olds were substituted with playing outside. before migrating to

In addition to these tasks, Fong also kept motivated in receiving an education. She dwelled upon the importance and magnitude of school during her childhood as well as the joy it brought to her. "I love to school,” she said, conveying a clear smile." When I go to school, we have a lot of friends and my classmates-- seventy-three people. They study very good, we never fighting together. The little student and the big students - never. And my teachers in China, they very nice teachers." She exclaimed excitedly, remembering the friends, classmates, and teachers she cherished and interacted with during her childhood. "And I remember my teachers too. I have three teacher's, two men and one woman. Woman teach dancing and men for the math and English." She also stated that her teachers taught lessons in the aspects of life and living while also lecturing upon the subjects and curriculum to be learnt. "Teacher only teach you to go to school, but in China, they different. The teacher they teach you everything." Fong also shared how forty-five years later, when visiting China she was able to actually meet one of her former mentors. "I go to China and find my teacher. I go find my teacher, three missing, find one. He surprised! I very happy. Long, long time, I never see you! Now you come see me!"

Fong also talked greatly of the experience she gained from her great grandfather while they lived together. "He teaching, eating together and he tell me to do this thing, this thing, and this thing. Then I was to do. But my family, my grandpa is very strong man. He be the top -- more than the teacher too." Her great grandfather was employed in the navy as well as a governor, showing a portrait she kept of him. As she said this, she expressed a strong admiration for her great grandfather, relating to the lessons she learned from him. Fong also shared an anecdote during this time, where her grandfather journey into the mountains of Canton and pick various herbs, for two to three weeks at a time, leaving her alone at home to provide for herself. "Only nine years old, ten years old I cook by myself," she said proudly. When first migrating to Cambodia, at the age fourteen, Fong talked about the emotional pains of leaving behind the friends, teachers, and family in her home country.

"Fourteen, I moving, I have a lot of friends. They don't want me to leave. My teacher too, don't want me to leave because I school and the teacher love me and my friends love me too. You know, and I the favorite student and they love me too. They don't want me to leave. They tell me it's a very hard time in Cambodia. I don't understand, I say no, no. It's easy. I will come back. And my teacher say, no it's not easy. It's true--not easy." After leaving for Cambodia, Fong would never be able to return to China until she was twenty-eight years old, even though the flight between each country was only two hours. Fong's main motivation for leaving China was the fact that her father lived in Cambodia. Through a tedious process, her father purchased her a passport, ranging to almost ten-thousand American dollars and from then on, Fong left her home country, with gut wrenching feeling. She described the conditions of migration to Cambodia as being acceptable, where she rode a ship from China to Hong Kong, and then flew from Hong Kong to Vietnam and finally Cambodia, but the feelings of loneliness and despair accompanied her. "I never stay with my father before. I don't know my father. I crying too. And my father ask me, why do you cry? I say I know, but I missing my friends, my school. I cry many, many times."

Fong's life in Cambodia stood very similar as in China, as conditions were the same. She pondered slightly over her life in Cambodia, and then found that it passed rather uneventfully. With a picture, Fong pointed out her home where she lived across the street from the New Market in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Upon leaving for America at the age of twenty-eight, Fong more vividly recalled the process. "We don't have anything come here. But we come here, I was thirty-eight. Now you see, I'm sixty-four. More than twenty years now, twenty-seven, twenty-eight now." Fong, being married with two children, first traveled back to Hong Kong in hopes of returning to Canton, but found that the roads were blocked and that her family could not enter. In a frenzy, they returned to Cambodia and Thailand. After staying in a refugee camp for two months, they took a leave with other refugee's to America. "Airplane only one day to San Francisco. Stay one day in the hotel, then come here," she said, before talking of the possession she took over to America. "Just little things" were taken with her family. Fong suddenly then remembers how her sponsors in America, when picking them up at the airport, questioned them on the surprisingly low amount of luggage they carried. "They ask, why? Where's your stuff? They say, you four people, only two clothes, two clothes?" The process of migration was straightforward and without problem. "I was lucky, we don't have problems," she chuckled. In general, "Not hard, but okay. Better than my country," she said, recollecting her memories of the experience. "I live in any country, no problem. Because when I in China and Cambodia, it okay too. And then Cambodia to the America, it okay too. They say I not happy. I happy. "

On October 1st, 1997, at the age of thirty-eight, Fong and her family stood unsure of where to proceed, unable to speak English and unaccustomed to their new home. Fong relates a story of where English was offered to her in Cambodia but was unable to learn due to a shortage of time. "Cambodia, I worked a job, fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen. My upstairs become my business, my business downstairs. Upstairs they have a English ( ). His wife is American woman. They marry in China people. And they have a school, and upstairs. And I go to school one year, two year. One month they pay two-hundred, same American money."

Upon arriving, Fong's family was unsure of what to expect in this new land. "We don't know anything. We don't know what to do. I don't know what to do. Just follow the people. They say over here, and over here." After living with a sponsor for a week, and then finding a house, the family began settling down, although afraid of the hard times ahead and the language barriers. "First time come here, so lonely too because my family not here and my husband not living here. I just my kid to here you know. I not happy, but what are you to do?" In these times, Fong resolved to just go with life regardless of the difficulties of being separated from family, thankful for a home to live in.

In regards to the new culture, she at first found herself unsure. Primarily, she finds American culture to lenient with spending money and also sees that America offers a less busy life than in China. “And the people you know, just ten years old they working. They working and going to school. But here the people here, just school. They don’t’ have a school and part time job. In China they working too.” Even in regards to cuisine, she finds the dishes from home as best. “First time, one year, I can eat American food. The pizza, the kids love it but I can’t eat it.” What was most different was how paying for rent in America varied from not having to pay in China. "In China, you just pay the food, we own the house and we don't pay the bill and we don't have the electricity. We just have the light that you put in the oil, just only a little bit, we don't' get nothing." Fong also recalls how children at young age are already dating and having a boy friend or girl friend. "When I school six year, my friends too, we never have a boy friend or girl friend. Never. After you work, then finish school, after twenty, then you date. It's very difficult too." In regards to marriage outside of the Chinese-American community, particular even with her kids, she finds herself taking a broad perspective. “You have bad and good people both Chinese or white or black. I just want them to be happy.”

Overall, her identity as being Chinese is only through origin of birth. For her, identity manifests itself in human kindness and kinship. It seems that here near the streets of Argyle, she has found home as how she’s always found it in other countries. Even with the topic of discrimination, she states that she’s never had any problems and that the identity as an American gives her no trouble. To these thoughts of identity, she answers by living a life of simplicity, raising her children and grandchildren without even bothering these questions.

Critical Thinking Questions
I think in this current day, it would be easier for immigrants to create their own identity. It seems as if many already have relatives or rather people from the same areas already in America, thus it there would already be support for people to settle down. Immigrants are now actually viewed as being dignified and can create their own businesses and own community. In regards to the American identity, I would define it as being someone who lives within American culture and world. Although, the person doesn't need to compromise his/her own roots as a means of being American. Overall, I learned a great deal about my neighbor and that probably many people stories just as interesting. In a sense, it has also given me a better sense of what America has to offer and how it differs from other countries. I also find myself looking at the broader picture of life, and like Fong Lou, striving for happiness. In comparison of the immigration of my family from Cambodia, I can see that both families regarded American as a land of opportunity. Although both had their hard times getting over to America, and constantly refer to the typical you need to "work hard and study hard" mentality as a means of wealth, family and then happiness are the only important priorities in life.

Chinese American Project: Calvin Lam

我爸爸的姓名是Hoa Lam。我的爸爸丛越南来，可是他的父母是中国人，所以他是中国人。因为共产党来越南，所以他的家人要去美国。 他一九七九年来美国。他坐飞机来美国。他跟他的爸爸，妈妈，和妹妹来了。他到了美国是十九岁。他们住在芝加哥的公寓。他们没有钱，因为他们用了钱去美国。他跟他的妹妹去Senn中学。

My father, Hoa Lam, came to America in 1979 after the North Vietnamese Communists took over all of Vietnam. Although he was born in Vietnam he is ethnic Chinese due to the fact that my grandfather and my grandmother came from China. After the communists took over Vietnam, they took my grandfather’s prosperous gas station into government hands. Therefore, they had their home seized by the communists and were poor off. In addition, the Communists changed the school system by no longer supporting Chinese education for ethnic Chinese, therefore, discriminating against ethnic Chinese. This along with poor treatment by corrupt communist officials caused my father’s family to move. My grandfather paid off corrupt government officials and bought his way to America. They took a boat to Hong Kong where they temporarily lived in a refugee camp. After that they took a plane to America.

My father, along with my grandmother, grandfather, and aunt (younger sister) arrived in Chicago in 1979 by plane. They lived in an apartment studio room near Senn High School, the high school he attended with his younger sister despite the fact that he was nineteen. He complained about the loud noises and bad neighborhood of his apartment. Also, the apartment was filthy and only had one room because my family could afford nothing more. My grandmother worked as a maid in a hotel and my grandfather worked in a steel factory. When they arrived none of them knew how to speak English, only Chinese and Vietnamese.

At school, my father often experienced discrimination. Ironically, he said that most of this was from his African-American classmates. They would come into the classroom and mock his accent, while sometimes just walking down the hallways and knocking over books. The teacher often times did nothing. Class was often times difficult for him and his sister due to the fact that they had to look everything up in a Chinese-English dictionary. Yet, after one or two years, they were able to speak and read English. Yet, he felt an outsider when he first came to America because their culture was so different from that of the Chinese one from which he was raised. Yet, he later adapted to the culture and appreciated its advantages such as individuality. Later, he received his two-year associate’s degree after high school.

My father felt that the culture of America was vastly different from that of the Chinese culture from which he was raised. He felt that there was less respect in the American culture as well as more of an emphasis on individuality rather than family. He also felt that there is less of an emphasis on education in America than in the Chinese culture. He feels that this clash of cultures shows how Chinese culture is more subservient in comparison to American culture. In addition, he sees there is nothing wrong with marrying somebody that is not Chinese American, just it is up to one’s personal preference. Yet, in reference to the American culture, my father finds it contradictory to be accepted as American, as Chinese-Americans will always be discriminated against. They will always be seen as outsiders in his opinion and never be seen in the hearts of “Americans” as American.

Critical Thinking Reflection:

I feel that after doing this project, it has become more difficult for Chinese immigrants to gain an American identity. More than ever today, the American media discriminates against Chinese Americans, and labels them as perpetual foreigners.

In order to be American, one must consider themselves American as well as be considered American by the “American” masses. In addition, they must be willing to live to the ideals of American freedom, individuality, and rights.

I learned a lot from conducting this interview. I was able to further get in touch with my culture and understand where my family comes from. I was also able to better understand the differences that conflicting cultures brings to my household.

Synopsis of Interview with Kelly Au

Chicago is an extremely multi-cultural city that has one of the nation’s highest percentages of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. Chicago falls slightly behind cities like San Francisco and New York in its numbers of Chinese and Chinese American citizens, but it still manages to have an outstanding 68,021 Chinese and Chinese American population. Therefore, Chinese influence is felt all throughout the city. It is vivid in commerce, rich in history, and blooming with the future.

Chicago’s Chinatown was created out of a growing need and a desire for Chinese immigrants, coming in from the west coast, to create a niche where they could feel safe and at home. Their culture became imbedded in the South Loop around the 1950’s and ‘60’s as they fled discrimination in the West as ex-railroad workers and initiated new lives in the Midwest.

These new lives that people were in constant search for would generate monetary wealth which would allow them to look after their families and take care of their community; thus they became rich in spirit as well. This is still a common goal for many Chinese Americans. Such an example is that of the Au family.

My friend Kelly Au is an outstanding student, a loyal friend, funny, and an intimidating judo opponent. She is well rounded and is not afraid to step out of the norm. Many first generation Chinese Americans, those whose parents are Chinese-born, but had children in the United States, are sometimes confined to false stereotypes that the media has generated which hampers their individual growth; which consists of finding their place within the Chinese and American communities.

Chinese communities are a product of their culture that dates back to thousands of years ago when Confucianism set the stepping stones of a successful kingdom through the establishment of filial piety. Filial piety made the king the caring father of the nation; therefore, respect and love was expected towards him. The household followed the same rules of patriarchal dominion and veneration. Thus a structured family life has always been practiced by Chinese families.

In the United States, there is no such thing a structured family framework. Things differ from culture to culture and in some cases they tend to blend together. This fusion creates some confusion. Once Chinese American kids grow into teenagers and begin to question their being and their place in the world, they allow themselves fall victim to the confusion generated by media-enforced stereotypes.

These stereotypes Kelly Au explains depict Chinese American teens as nerdy and antisocial. She also confesses that strict family values which enforce great devotion to education could be the root of the nerdy stereotypes but that it is just part of being a typical Chinese kid. As for the antisocial remarks, Kelly believes that a lot of Chinese American teens feel comfortable around each other because they do not have to explain themselves and their culture, because they all share the same background. Kelly further explained by setting an example of when I asked her to go out with me and a small group of friends to a teen dance club. I remembered clearly she was not allowed to go, but could not understand why. She went on to explain that her parents did not deem it appropriate for their sixteen year old daughter to be out at night dancing; hence, a cultural difference that I, a Mexican, can somewhat relate to, but still needed some explanation.

After a long discussion with Kelly, I became more aware of cultural differences that make it a challenge to stay true to your Chinese culture and ethnicity while also trying to be a regular American teen. At the same time, I am in awe of what Kelly has been able to accomplish. Kelly is not hampered by any stereotypes of what a Chinese American is or should be. She is only worried about discovering who she is, what her place in the international community is, and about making her parents proud in gratitude for their efforts for coming to America and giving her such a gifted life. She understands her culture and cherishes it while still exploring the American lifestyle and taking in benefits from it.

我的朋友叫欧凯珊

我的朋友叫欧凯珊。她的家有四个人 他妈妈， 爸爸， 妹妹， 和她。 他的妈妈和
爸爸是中国人。他们是广州人。 欧凯珊 不是中国人。 她是美国人，没去过中国
可是在中国她有很多家人。 她的学校叫 Walter Payton College Prep 在这儿她学
汉语。因为她学汉语到三年所以下年她的同学和她会去中国。


欧凯珊 和我:

Chinese American Project

这个计划的时候 我访问曲 天舒。 她是谢 老师的帮助者。 她 很天才的人。她 唱 汉语歌 唱的非常好。她 有一盘 光盘 可是我没听了。 认识她，我很高兴!

Qu Tian Shu came here with her mother in 2000 to visit her father after he had been working here since 1998. She is originally from Harbin which is in the north part of China. She was so excited she couldn’t sleep the whole flight.

While coming to America was easy, adjusting to its culture was a bit more difficult. She has experienced lots of culture shock. She also had a hard time adjusting to the language and the way the school system worked. In fact, on the first day of 6th grade, the other students who were white stared at her and marveled at her every move, touching all of her school supplies; they obviously never met a Chinese girl before . Another time a boy asked her to his girlfriend, poor Tian Shu took it as meaning he wanted to be friends and eagerly agreed. It was only until he tried to express his love that she figured out the real meaning. In 8th grade, she wanted to be in the schools production of “The Sound of Music”. The director liked her but said she needed to work on her English and pronunciation. She worked hard and she got the lead role! When she got into high school, she founded an English as a Second Language group. It was a way for foreign students to find support and work on their English.

Like all parents Tian Shu’s parents had expectations of her. They wanted her to be successful in all that she did. That included learning how to speak good English and adapt to American culture but she also said it’s important to retain her own Chinese culture. She has made it her goal to promote Chinese culture to the people she meets. Overall she feels she has been successful in everything she has done.

Tian Shu currently lives with her Father and Mother in Northfield, Illinois. Someday she wants to be a math teacher .

Critical Thinking
I don’t think it is hard for immigrants to create a new identity today, I think this because most Americans are a lot more accepting of other cultures so I think that immigrants can focus less on trying to assimilate into American culture and focus more on creating a sense of economic stability.
To be American means that a person; regardless of sex, race, religion, or age can live free to pursue life, liberty, and happiness for themselves. Social, cultural, educational, class, and economic standing are unimportant because those things are products of advanced civilization, the first humans were focused on survival and once they had that down pat, could they invent ways to distinguish themselves from others.

I have learned a lot from this interview. I gave me a deeper understanding of what its like for an immigrant to fit in in American society. It has shown me how different the experience for an Asian immigrant, someone whose culture is seen and completely backward from Western culture. This has truly been a learning experience.