Thanks to the COM352 students for contributing a bunch of new pages! I'll be moving these pages into the main area of the wiki soon.

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[edit] Who am I? 2nd Draft

The Beneficiary in Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism is the preservation of different cultures or cultural identities within a unified society, as a state or nation. It is a good idea because it provides a wealth of cultural activities, life philosophies and unique traditions. It is a part of any country. Nobody is really a true American except the native Indians. We are all part of a vast society called the United States. I, who was born and lived in this country, experience life in a melting pot and glean a lot of treasuring values and paths. I benefit a lot more than those who live in monoculture. Though being in a society of multiculturalism has given me the opportunity to take journeys, explore and learn, it is not easy to surmount the consequences and hardships through the transactions between every culture.

My engrossment in multiculturalism started the day I was born. My parents were immigrants from China who came to America for education and opportunities. They worked hard to support my family: my mom had three jobs and my dad was an editor for a local Chinese paper. They had to overcome the problems of racism, living and prejudice. My mom always tells me, “Knowledge is your strongest self defense. Persistence is the most important thing in gaining knowledge.” I always keep that in mind as my moto.

My dad said his best reward for coming to the United States was having me. I was born at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital on September 19, 1987. Since I was born prematurely my parents were very worried about my health condition during my first two years. Unfortunately, my parents divorced when I was two and a half. I stayed with my mom in America while my dad left for China. Being too young to understand the situation, I did not know my life would end up being such an expected and unique journey.

My mom remarried my stepfather Terrence when I was eight years old. The hardest task was not just moving to a new house, but immigrating to a new country with eight new family members. For an eight-year -old, adapting to a new environment without speaking the language was awfully difficult. At home, I only spoke to my mom and no one else. My new family members were patient that they did not force me to talk to them, but after six months without any conversation, they suggested my mom to take me to the physiatrist. My mom believed that I would soon be talking and I just needed some time. I still remember my step grandparents’ faces when I spoke to them for the first time. It was as if they have won the lottery or got a gold metal in the Olympics! As time went by, I began to like Hong Kong. I made a lot of friends at school and a lot of them were new to the country just like I was. The elementary school was called Li Cheng Uk Primary P.M School. It was an international school with kids from all over the world. We all spoke English and had to learn a second language which was Hindi, Urdu or Chinese. As one would assume, we picked up each others’ accent and our English was accented with the mixture of the three languages. I was exposed to the diversity of cultures around me. I tasted Indian pancake “Chappathi” and learnt Filipino skipping rope and folk dance. We all listened to western music like N’sync and Backstreet Boys. That was how I developed my interest in foreign cultures, people and their languages.

Hong Kong contains the elements of both eastern and western culture, just like my personality. In Chinese culture, modesty and diligence are emphasized; the western culture has taught me to value creativity and independence. At home, I have been taught traditional Chinese demeanors like addressing all the elders before you eat, always putting your hands on the table when you eat and never leaving the dining table before everyone finishes. I continued my studies in a local school after sixth grade. It was a catholic girl’s school where I got involved in Chinese society. The school emphasized Chinese which made it really hard for me to adjust during the first few months in school. We learned ancient paleography and Chinese history and I received really low scores. It was not just the school work that pressured me; however, making friends with a whole different racial group of people. I never knew much about the mainstream Hong Kong teens until I experienced their hobbies and communicated with them. Luckily I made a number of good friends whom I am still in contact with. They showed me the activities that they like such as singing karaoke and barbeque picnics. I liked them a lot but I always wanted to go further.

Seeking a better education, I headed to Chino Hills, California. I had no idea of where Chino Hills was, I just knew I would be staying at a professor’s house with a whole bunch of international students. I was really excited that I could be free of my parents’ control and explore the world by myself. This time I did really well in adapting and I did not get home sick or cry because I knew this was what I wanted. I got straight A’s in all my classes and life was good until the professor went insane. He was extremely nice at the beginning and then I found out that he was a total dictator who would hit students with a golf club as physical punishment. Fortunately, he never hit me but he yelled at me without any respect. I was sick of having no dignity before him! I thought I was being mentally abused! I made the best decision in my life− to leave. I told my parents about it but they wanted me to tolerate it for a few more months so I could finish my SATs. They felt finding a new place and moving would distract me from studying, and so I stayed and practiced my endurance and I made it through! Thank God that I moved in with my friend Kelly and her parents. They were like my second family and were really nice to me. They took great care of me throughout my last year at Chino Hills. In my senior year, I got to work for the first time. I was able to communicate with my Hispanic co-workers with my three years of high school Spanish. I also experienced the first earthquake in my life and I loved the nice weather in four seasons. In California, I learned a great lesson about defining good and bad people. Anybody can be nice to you at first, but as time goes by, we will see who has a kind heart. Being in a different environment allows me to handle issues on my own and protect myself.

After graduating from high school, I decided to go back to where I was born to find my roots. I always felt guilty when people asked me how Massachusetts was; I seriously do not remember anything about Boston. So I came to Umass to major in Communication. French and Japanese Art and Culture Classes are my favorite classes. I actually was not sure what I could do with this major but as class progresses I am learning about cultural communication, something that I may want to pursue. I did not have a clue about my future until recently; an introduction about foreign officer of U.S department of states grabbed my attention. It says “It's a significant responsibility that presents opportunities unique to educating foreign cultures about our nation, while offering unrivaled experiences around the world.” That is what I want! I want to represent my country and travel around the world! I have found my ambition. I will work hard to fulfill my dream.

People often tell me how lucky I am that I have visited the wild deserts and glamorous parades of Dubai, the mighty Buddhist temples in Thailand and Vietnam, the lively Kangaroos and Koalas in Australia, the sunshine and beaches in Guam and Malaysia, the futuristic quality of Japan and Korea…I am indeed very lucky! Yes, it is hard to go through obstacles, but being able to indulge in others’ culture and learn their beliefs is the best source to broaden our worldviews and it is FUN! When I am being asked about where I am from, I would say “I am American in America, Chinese in China, American-Chinese in all others” That’s my indentity!