Essay On Chinese Identity

I am a Chinese-American. Before I was born, my parents traveled from China to America to pursue their studies and dreams. Being Chinese is as much my identity as my hobbies, my interests, or my talents. It is an aspect of my life that has defined who I am and how I grew up.
As a Chinese person, I experience the unique culture and community built by my ancestors. I learned to understand the unity of a community as well as loyalty to others as I spent time with my grandparents and extended family in China.By contrast, I was brought up in America. As a result, I grew up with Chinese values and American influences. I have an English name and I have a Chinese name. I go to an American public school on the weekdays, but also attend a Chinese School on Sundays. There are similarities but also differences between the two cultures. I was taught and expected to be modest but to have pride in my achievements, to be a worker but also a leader. …show more content…
I enjoy volunteering at the annual Chinese New Year Festival as well as various other events including the yearly Beacon Arts Festival, both of which combine the two reigning influences in my life and set out to bridge the gap between different cultures. Through these events, people learn about Chinese heritage, such as Chinese brush-painting and drum dancing. In addition to volunteering inside and outside of school, I have played various positions on the tennis team and have also been a part of the Math Team, contributing to the success of both teams. And while I recognize the importance of working in a team, I have also found what it means to be a leader, influenced by both Chinese and American qualities such as working hard and leading by