I was born in Los Angeles, but I have lived in China my
whole life. Still, I went to an international school
in China. I was exposed to American values and ways of learning. Maybe I am an Overseas Chinese person. I don’t
feel fully American or fully Chinese.
Angelesia Ma
I am from Ohio, but I lived in Korea for 6 years. Coming to America for the second time in third grade was difficult; I had to assimilate to the culture, but my friends helped me. Even now, there are times when I go back to Korea and notice cultural changes and conflict regarding traditions and customs. I am more Americanized now, but I have Korean heritage.
Sung Jun Jeon
I am from Chicago; I have always lived there. I’ve struggled with my identity. I am half Chinese and half Caucasian. I lived in Chinatown and went to a predominantly Chinese school. I am in touch with my Chinese roots, but I know I have certain privileges and experience my Asian-ness differently than others.
Katie Schumacher
I am an international student. I grew up in China, but moved to Atlanta for high school. I am definitely in touch with my Chinese roots. But, compared to when I was in high school, I feel more American, because I’ve lived in America for a while. I don’t feel like I belong to any community, any country.
Cindy Chuhan Xiao
I don’t think my Asian identity is something that I focus on. I know its a privilege to not have to think about being half-Chinese all the time, but I think other things define who I am. I am a student and spikeball player.
Mark Manuel
I am Asian—I’m from Tokyo, Japan. I’ve lived in the D.C., Boston, Paris, Geneva, and Beijing, but I only have Japanese citizenship. Still, a lot of my relatives are American and went to American colleges. I also identify as American. I celebrate American holidays, like Thanksgiving, because my uncle is Caucasian. My mom lived in the US for a while as a child too. Even though my father is very Japanese, all these things allow me to identify as American.
Seiji Peter Yamazaki
I am from East Brunswick, New Jersey. I am Asian, but it’s not something I think about that much. Most of my friends growing up were white, so I never thought that much about my race. But recently when I was in a setting with a lot of white people, I felt like I stood out, like there was a barrier between me and everyone else.
Albert Leon Chen