Navigating Identities: Chinese in America, American in China

Growing up as an American-born Chinese (ABC) in New York, I embody both Chinese and American identities. Living in the U.S., I often feel more Chinese, while in China, I find myself feeling more American.

My parents met at a medical school in Beijing, and we immigrated to the U.S. during the early '90s when my father secured a position as a biomedical researcher. I was born five years after my sister, who was born in Beijing, in an area filled with diverse Asian communities like Cantonese-speaking Chinese, Putonghua speakers, Taiwanese, and Koreans. Flushing, Queens, provided a unique environment to understand the nuances of Asian identities in America.

Life in Flushing felt truly Asian-American, with the streets of Chinatown filled with familiar languages and foods. However, moving to a less diverse Californian city during my teenage years made me more aware of my collective Asian-American identity.

The Suburban Shift

Relocating to California highlighted the broader Asian-American culture as I connected with others who shared similar interests despite different ethnic backgrounds. We bonded over common interests like boba tea and K-pop.

Visits to Beijing with my grandparents during summers left a strong impression, as I witnessed rapid development and a vibrant cultural atmosphere, contrasting the stagnant growth in my suburban California hometown hit hard by the 2008 recession.

Returning to Beijing

At 14, witnessing Beijing during the Olympics was unforgettable, setting off years of following China's progress. My academic journey from Sciences Po in France to Columbia University exposed me to perspectives on China that felt outdated and detached.

In 2013, I returned to Beijing for an internship, intending to visit my grandmother only to learn she had passed away. Nonetheless, the experience with my grandfather and at an educational consultancy deepened my connection to China.

Opting for a master's degree in China Studies at Peking University over job offers in the U.S. grounded my decision to stay in China, where I continue to live to this day.

Adapting to Work Culture

The professional landscape in China offers a different experience from that in America. Western efforts often prioritize empowering employees, whereas Chinese firms tend to follow the founders’ visions closely.

Working in various industries allowed me to adapt to different expectations. As the sole American-born staff in one company, I sought to understand the cultural dynamics at play. Although challenging, it was a valuable learning curve.

Despite criticisms about creativity, many lack opportunities to showcase their innovative potential in China. Yet, evolving organizational cultures reflect positive trends toward valuing diverse ideas.

Transitioning to a growth investment role in China, something unthinkable back in New York, demonstrated the fluidity of career moves overseas. Recently, I founded Dusk, a venture at the intersection of equity investment and design.

With my grandfather still in Beijing, I plan to remain as long as he is with us, balancing my dual identities between two worlds.