STUDYING IN AMERICA, A COLLISION BETWEEN CULTURE AND VALUE BY FANG YUAN

I continuously ask myself: What is the point of studying in America for seven years? Does it only make my resume look good and help me find a decent job back in China, or does it count as an opportunity provided by my parents for me to see a bigger world, or merely just a privilege?

It tangles me.

Living in a higher social status family means to bear more pressure. Family is the pressure source internally. During my high school year, I was harshly scolded by parents for doing terribly in school. I knew I did not slack-off. It just took me time to blend into the American culture and get used to its education system. It took me years to adapt, and when I finally did ok in school, yet external pressures came in. The coronavirus incident was giving Chinese students a significantly hard time: I faced online racism and terrorism from social media and being treated rudely in the market just because I was Chinese.

I tangles me.

I, however, do not take these as threats to my life nor humiliations to my country; it just pushes me to keep thinking about my position in this swirl. When coming to the U.S to study, I am representing China, and it is my responsibility to build the bridge of trust between Americans and Chinese, where we can exchange our values and share our beliefs without doubt and intrigue. I shall then ignore my voice of judgment, but to speak and act whenever I can, to fulfill the duty as an international student, but more as a Chinese. 

It does not tangle me anymore.