Where are you from?
China
What was it like growing up in China?
Growing up in China was very cool it was fantastic. Chinese people are very conservative.
How did you decide to attend a University outside of your native country?
I wanted to see something different from my country. I wanted to experience something new. It was an accident I ended up in the USA and at Case Western Reserve University. At first I planned to just go to school abroad in Canada or Germany, I applied at different schools and got admitted to Case. But I’m excited to be here.
What were your first thoughts about coming to the United States? Did those change?
The US is like where I’m from so the city is different like some areas developed and some not so much. You can experience a lot here like I have experienced at home. All the liquid you drink here in the USA is iced/cold pop and water- but at home we drink everything room temperature.
Did you face any challenges transitioning here?
I’m experiencing that people talk fast and some have idioms that I don’t quite get yet.
What traditions or customs do you continue to practice?
In a group of people I will observe everyone first then address my point and that’s Chinese tradition. We speak last when we don’t really know the environment.
Why should we welcome immigrants and refugees?
International people bring money so they contribute to the American economy.
Why should you travel abroad?
By seeing different parts of the world you learn some people and cultures are different from yours. You learn new things from new people, new country, new culture and you can apply it back home. It can be an opportunity to think about their perspective and their ideology and take a break from what you know and think.
