#美籍华人##中国留学##舞蹈爱好者##社工#
This is the 4,258th real story we have told
I'm Fefe and I was born in 1997 in a small town in the suburbs of Chicago, USA.
My parents moved to the United States at an early age, and our family is all Chinese-American. Born in the United States and raised in Chicago, although I received a Western education since I was a child, I like to dance Chinese dance, and Chinese is also the best among the four siblings.
In order to find my roots and chase stars, I came to China to study in college, first completed my undergraduate studies, and then went to graduate school. In addition to completing my studies, I practiced Chinese dance hard and learned Chinese culture with a thirst. After graduating, I stayed in China to work for a company under the parent company of TOEFL, and after three years of working I quit and returned to the United States.
Today, I accompany my parents in the United States while working as a social worker for Chinese immigrants who come to live in the United States, teaching Chinese to adults and children part-time, and helping film and television companies to translate Chinese and English subtitles. I actively participated in club activities and danced Chinese dance on American television.
No matter where I am, I remember that I am a descendant of the dragon, and I am willing to do my part in spreading Chinese culture.
(I love Chinese dance very much)
Dad was an engineering professor at a university in the United States. My mother used to study at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, and later came to the United States to study and teach music.
My father is from Zhejiang and my mother is from Shanghai, they met in the United States, got married and had children, and are now retired. I also have two older brothers and an older sister, both of whom are more than 10 years older than me, and both are married and have children. I have a warm and loving family.
In addition to teaching people to play the guzheng and playing the erhu, my mother also established the first Chinese art troupe in Chicago, leading the members to dance Chinese dance, sing Chinese songs, and sing Peking Opera. This is a non-profit art troupe. I have also been exposed to art troupes since I was a child, and I have a wide range of hobbies, especially dance.
(I performed on stage for the first time when I was two years old)
I have known since I was a child that I am Chinese, and I am very eager for China, and I hope to go to China in the future to learn about Chinese history and culture.
My parents have been bilingual since I was a child, so my Chinese is as good as English. When I was a child, I sat with my grandmother and spoke Chinese, which was really beautiful. My brother and sister are about the same age, so they often play together, because I am more than ten years younger than them, I spend all day with my parents, so my Chinese is better.
(A group photo of me and my brother and sister lining up according to age)
Since I was a child, I have often traveled with my parents to visit relatives or travel in China, listen to Chinese dramas, or participate in trips with the theme of "Roots-Seeking Journey".
When I was in junior high school, I wanted to be more like my white classmates around me, and I wanted to be better integrated into the community. At that time, I was also in the rebellious period of adolescence, and I was a little resistant to learning Chinese and the like.
(When I was a child, my grandmother was my Chinese teacher)
When I was in high school, I once overheard "Descendants of the Dragon" sung by Wang Leehom, and I felt that Chinese songs were also very trendy!
Later, I felt that Chinese elements became more and more attractive to me, I like Chinese songs, Chinese film and television, and I like many Chinese film and television stars and singers. Because I chase stars and chase Chinese stars, I have always been interested in learning Chinese, and I am very involved in learning Chinese.
After graduating from high school, I wanted to leave the United States and study in China, on the one hand, to find my roots, and on the other hand, to chase stars, enrich my life experience, and learn more about Chinese culture. I had such a decision, and my parents were very happy.
(When I was in middle school, I played the bamboo flute at the Chicago Symphony Hall)
In 2015, when I was 17 years old, I applied for a study abroad qualification at a university in Beijing to study teaching Chinese as a foreign language. After the entrance placement test, due to my particularly good Chinese scores, I was directly admitted to the second year of university.
In addition to my professional classes, I joined the school's non-professional dance troupe, studied Chinese dance and contemporary dance, and also studied street dance outside of school.
I only came into contact with hip-hop dance when I came to China, and I like its rhythm and explosiveness, but I prefer Chinese dance, which is elegant and charming.
(I look for hip-hop inspiration in all corners of Shenzhen)
In 2018, I graduated from university with a bachelor's degree and was admitted to another university in Beijing as a graduate student, majoring in international relations.
I study and communicate with international students from all over the world, and I have fun every day. Cultures from different places collided, creating wonderful sparks and giving me a very different feeling. I've also made a lot of friends here.
Before I said that I came to China to find my roots, but after I arrived in China, I realized that Chinese Americans are still very different from Chinese in China, and there is a little anxiety about cultural identity.
(During the winter vacation of 2016, I went back to the United States and took a group photo with Ayunga backstage at the performance)
Many people see what I look like and listen to the Chinese I speak, and they are a little confused. A lot of people ask me how the difference is between the U.S. and China, and it's really hard to answer.
Because I live in a small town in the United States, in a big city in China, in the United States when I was a child, and in China when I grow up, life is completely different, there is no comparison.
I still have a relatively strong ability to adapt, not only do I study professional courses seriously, but also actively study Chinese history and culture, and seize every possible opportunity to learn and practice. I also have a very good relationship with my classmates here.
(I performed in China when I was in college)
In 2020, I graduated from graduate school, and I didn't go home during the winter vacation because of the epidemic. Later, I got a job as an interviewer at a study abroad interview company under the parent company of TOEFL in Beijing.
At the beginning of 2022, when the winter in Beijing was particularly cold, I was living in a hutong bungalow in the Second Ring Road, and I felt like I was about to freeze and wanted to move to the south as soon as possible. Later, I moved to Shenzhen, where I was able to work from home because of the flexibility and the ability to work remotely from a computer.
(2020 Graduate Graduation Photo)
In April 2023, I haven't been home for 4 years because of the pandemic. Mom and Dad are both old, and in 2023, they both fell separately, and their bodies are not as good as before.
At that time, I was already a small leader in the company. The burden from above is very heavy, I often have to work overtime, and I have to work on weekends, so the work is very stressful. So I quit my job and bought a plane ticket back to Chicago, wanting to take a break and spend time with my parents.
I was very independent outside, but when I got home I was my parents' youngest child. I wanted something to do, so I became a social worker for a non-profit organization to help newcomers to the U.S. adjust to life.
Many of the clients I serve are elderly Chinese, and I help them to translate and teach them dance in the daycare center for the elderly. Although the salary is relatively low, I feel a sense of accomplishment.
(The last lecture I gave at the company before I quit in 2023)
In addition to working as a social worker, I also work part-time online as a Chinese and English tutor, teaching Chinese to adults and children. At that time, I majored in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, and I changed my major to international relations as a graduate student, but I didn't want to be a teacher. Now that I am a teacher, I feel quite accomplished, so people change.
During class, although I speak Chinese most of the time, I also have to explain in English in the middle. A class lasts about forty or fifty minutes, and the whole process is actually quite interesting.
Among them, I have two American students, as foreigners, both of whom are particularly interested in Chinese TV dramas. When they saw me chasing stars, they chose me as a teacher, and we had a lot in common.
(As a social worker, I do free bone density tests for the elderly)
My other part-time job is to translate for a film and television platform, translating Chinese into English subtitles, so I watch Chinese movies and TV more. I am also very happy that the knowledge and skills I have learned in China have been put to use.
My mom thought I might have been trying to make money, but I felt like I couldn't stop. When I'm free, I feel like I'm wasting my time, and I feel bored.
(I often attend performances since I returned to the U.S.)
At the same time, I also participated in the local choir and dance troupe, and often performed everywhere. On Thanksgiving Day 2023, Chicago held a huge parade. The organizers invited art troupes of all ethnic or racial groups to perform.
Before the parade, my dance troupe performed a Chinese dance program, and I was one of the 11 dancers who danced the beautiful and agile Chinese fan dance to the joyful dance music. When the last action was unveiled, the audience applauded thunderously. This program has also been on American television and has received widespread attention and praise from everyone.
(In 2023, our dance troupe will dance Chinese dance on American television)
On the eve of the Chinese New Year of the Dragon in 2024, I was also invited to participate in the recording of a news program in the United States, in which I danced a Chinese dance. This program is to introduce the Chinese New Year to American audiences, and it includes Chinese martial arts and Spring Festival customs demonstrations.
I also feel honored to be an ambassador of cultural exchanges between China and the United States, and to promote Chinese elements in the United States.
(In 2024, I will dance Chinese dance on a U.S. news program to promote the Chinese New Year)
I have many hobbies, especially dancing and stargazing. When I was in China, I found a lot of teachers to learn dance, and I have been practicing it consistently. I also go to other cities to participate in some dance master classes or training classes, and I am also a main member of the dance performances I participate in.
In order to chase stars, I will go to other cities to watch idol concerts, and in the process of chasing stars, I have also met a lot of Chinese friends, which has given me a better understanding of Chinese society from different aspects.
After returning to the United States, I couldn't go to the scene to chase stars, so I often watched TV dramas performed by idols. From the TV series, I also have a better understanding of China's development and customs in all aspects.
(In 2022, I went to Macau to chase stars)
I feel like I'm more "homely", I just work part-time after work, and I stay at home after I finish my part-time job. Aside from my colleagues and clients, I know relatively few people, and I haven't met my soulmates yet.
Parents in the U.S. generally don't urge marriage, but my parents also have Chinese traditions. Fortunately, I am the youngest in the family, and my older brothers and sisters also have children, so my parents don't have too many requirements for me. My task at the moment is to develop myself to the fullest.
(In 2021, I went to Changsha to take a sword dance master class)
I feel like I'm a bit of an introvert. If I had a choice, I wouldn't want to go out, I would just want to stay at home, but if you want me to go out and do something or show something, I can do it. I don't really like to deal with people, but my job seems to be always about dealing with people, so I have been trained to do it. For young people who want to come to the United States for development, I would like to say, don't think too badly of the United States, but don't think too badly of the United States. Don't get your hopes up too much for the United States, but don't feel that the United States is in danger everywhere.
(In 2021, I participated in a hip-hop performance in Beijing)
I have also been in China for several years, and I feel that China will be much better in terms of personal safety. You won't feel particularly intimidated about what time of the morning is walking on the road in Beijing, whereas in American cities, you might be advised not to go out at night. But there is no feeling as others say, as soon as it lands in the United States, there will be a Qiang murder or robbery, which is also some individual cases or some small probability things.
I eat more Chinese food than Western food in the U.S. because at home my mom cooks. I also prefer to eat Chinese food, and I have had a stomach that likes Chinese food since I was a child. After eating so much delicious food in China, I still have a gap when I go back to the United States, and I feel that there will be more food in China.
(I went on a graduation trip with my classmates)
Now, I'm happy every day. I work part-time as a social worker, working more than 8 hours a day, teaching Chinese to adults or children part-time, and also doing Chinese and English subtitle translation.
I am also sharing some of my work and life insights through self-media, hoping to give you some help. As a social worker, I have also helped many Chinese who have just arrived in the United States, such as helping them apply for schools for their children and doing some translations for them. I'm also happy to be able to help them.
(In 2022, I moved from Beijing to Shenzhen and took dance classes)
As for the future planning, I just want to take it one step at a time. This year, I still want to stay with my parents and take care of them more. I still want to return to China to develop when I encounter the right opportunity from the bottom of my heart, because my roots are there, and there is fertile soil for my growth.
This is me, a Chinese-American girl who likes to chase stars and love Chinese dance, hoping to help more people and do something meaningful as much as possible. I will also continue to learn Chinese, learn Chinese history and culture, be a disseminator of Chinese culture, continue to seek my roots, and be a good successor of the dragon.
(Welcome to follow the account of the protagonist of this article: FEFE Pigeon (Chicago Edition))
【口述:How】
[Written by: Ripples in the Sea of Books]
[Editor: Wuxi Wu]
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