Growing up in New Jersey as an ethnically Chinese girl with American-French dual citizenship was a lot of identities to juggle. Coming to Shantou University was an invaluable gateway to further explore my belonging in the Chinese diaspora as an adult. Prior to leaving for China, my goals were to gain more confidence in my speaking abilities and to find a sense of community within myself and the ancestry of my people. It was important for me to learn about a different perspective, not only to better my own self-understanding, but to further my knowledge of the world for my career. As a Psychology student minoring in History at McGill University, I aspire to become a therapist who specializes in working with adolescents. I am passionate about engaging in anti-oppressive therapeutic practices and supporting communities that have been historically marginalized. I knew this trip would be a wonderful occasion to gain perspective on the experience of the Chinese diaspora.
While in China, I was very touched by the kindness and open mindedness of the tutors and professors I interacted with. Having gone to Shantou as a beginner Mandarin speaker who is ethnically Chinese, it was very daunting to face that reality at a heightened level. I knew that I would be expected to speak better Mandarin than my level 1 peers and would need to wear my ABC (American Born Chinese) label with pride. When I saw how patient the tutors were, answering all my questions with so much care and attention, I felt so much more at ease. Whether it was talking about differences between China and the West or helping me build more complex sentences for our daily homework, they always made sure they were giving me the best possible answer to their knowledge. The professors were exciting to learn from, and listening to their feedback on my homework was immensely helpful. I saw their passion for teaching through their lessons and improving for the next class remained a motivating force for me during the month in Shantou.
On Shantou’s campus, I loved spending time at CILL (Center for Independent Language Learning), exploring the plethora of Chinese books available at the library, and learning new words every day. Every afternoon, I would go to CILL with two of my friends from the program and we would challenge ourselves to speak to one another only in Mandarin in one of the private rooms. At night, I was surrounded by new friends trying a variety of foods from street vendors and discovering new ice cream flavors from the convenience store for us to enjoy. Each day was filled with new activities and excitement that made my first trip to Shantou truly memorable.
I really appreciated how well structured the program was. While the weekdays were filled with classes and activities with our tutors, the weekends provided ample time to explore other cities. I particularly loved being able to experience the tea and Hakka culture in Meizhou. The scenery was nothing like I had ever seen before and exploring the Hakka homes provided an intimate understanding of the region. As an avid museum enjoyer, walking through the Hakka museum was a wonderful chance to learn more about a this culture, and to see how diverse the diaspora is, even within China.
Every day during the program was a chance to learn something new, to challenge myself, to put Mandarin first before English. I saw how my confidence blossomed and that feeling was addicting. My understanding of myself and the mosaic of all that has ever come before me has become fuller. I am so grateful for the McGill Faculty of Arts Li Ka Shing Initiative for recognizing me and providing me with the opportunity to challenge myself. I have learned so much from being exposed to Chinese society and experiencing the Eastern side of my identity.
Thank you!