Welcome to my blog!

This summer, I am embarking on a special journey to learn the Chinese language, to engage with Chinese culture, and to explore the land of my ancestors. Through my writing, I hope to not only record my personal experiences; I hope to explore polemic issues in Chinese society, to better understand the East Asian mindset, and to paint a living picture of life in China.

My personal background gives me a unique perspective: adopted at birth, I was born and raised in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in the north of England. Although I am ethnically Chinese, I have never questioned my British identity – indeed, I am one of the proudest Yorkshiremen you will ever encounter! My aims this summer are not about identity, more it is important to note at the outset of this blog my background and the influences on the perspectives I offer.

To put my summer in context, I have just completed my junior year (third year) at Yale University. Last September, I started Yale’s intensive beginner Chinese programme. Back in February, I was accepted into the Duke in China summer programme, a two-month course that serves as a continuation of my Chinese language study. One of the most appealing aspects of this programme was that students are required to complete assignments that force them to interact with people in the surrounding community (e.g. interviewing a man who is practicing Tai Chi in a park). Such interactions will give me an insight into how Chinese people think and what issues are pressing in their minds.

I invite you to share in my experiences, to offer your own comments, and to discuss the issues I raise.

Thanks!