My MajorThe languages I am studying right now are Japanese and Chinese. I also know French, but I've lost a lot of it since I took French during my high school years.
My Dream Come TrueMy next goal is to become fluent in speaking Japanese, in addition to speaking English and Chinese (Mandarin). As such, I am currently studying in Japan at Sophia University as an exchange student. I shall remain an exchange student here until the summer of 1998.
My BackgroundI was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. My whole family emigrated to the US when I was 12. I am still fluent in Chinese because I speak Chinese at home with my family members. I can still write Chinese well because I keep in touch with my friends from elementary school in Taiwan. I also read novels & newspaper in Taiwan and watch Chinese TV programs. This is the thing with languages---you got to practice speaking, reading and writing in order to keep the languages you've learned in your mind.
My EnlightmentThrough the years, I feel that I'm drifting away from the traditional Chinese, but yet I'm still very Chinese. I have become somewhat Americanized, but then again I'm not so American. Nevertheless, I've found a new identity for myself---I am Chinese American. I think it is rather a good combination, so I am proud to be a first generation Chinese American. |