If a Chinese adolescent was to describe my appearance, he or she would note: tan skin, pin-straight jet-black hair, almond-shaped eyes with straight eyelashes, and my average height and weight. Upon being asked to list my interests I would say: playing musical instruments, reading, writing, drawing, painting, dancing and going out with friends. I eat all styles of food and I listen to different genres of music. I study hard and do quite well in school, but I always make time for my friends and family. Generally speaking, I am a reflection of any other typical Chinese teenager.

    The only difference? I live halfway across the globe in the United States of America.

    Having been born and raised in America, I am legally a U.S. citizen and I am very accustomed to American culture. I live in West Chester, Pennsylvania, a 45-minute drive away from Philadelphia — one of the most beautiful cities in America.

    At 14 years old, I will be attending the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur senior high school this year. This is a difference in American versus Chinese schooling — Chinese junior high schools span three years, while American junior high schools span either two or three years. In America the most common means of transportation to school is the school bus. The large yellow vehicles can be seen and heard, every morning and afternoon, bringing students to and from school. When I was enrolled in junior high school I took the school bus in the morning, but I walked home in the afternoon.

    A typical American school year will last about nine months, from September to mid-July. Just as in China classmates often become close friends and groups of friends will go to parks, coffee shops and movie theaters after school to catch up with each other. My friends and I love to go to the shopping mall or to each other’s houses to talk about virtually anything. We have a great time together.

    Athletics are a large part of my life, as with most young Americans. Most kids and teens will play at least one sport and schools have many teams available for their students to try out for and compete with. I have played lacrosse, a sport that most Chinese are not very familiar with, which involves a long stick with a net attached to the head. I have also been a part of my school’s track and field team for two years. We would practice every day after school for two hours, then compete against other local schools in races, relays, jumping and throwing.

    A more heartfelt passion of mine is dancing. Whether it be Chinese folk dance, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern or lyrical dance, I will most likely be at a dance studio practicing it. I have danced for approximately nine years and I take dance classes four to six times a week — including rehearsals for upcoming performances. Although sometimes frustrating and tiring, I have never regretted this dedication to my passion.

    As a Chinese-American teenager with a very Asian outer appearance, I was always told that I must learn about my culture, and communicate in my parents’ language. Thus, every Sunday for 10 years I attended Chinese school to learn how to speak, read and write Mandarin. Every other year, I return to China with my family to see my relatives and tour China’s historic landmarks and natural tourist attractions. Staying in China for several weeks has helped me appreciate its culture and differences; it also improves my Mandarin and allows me to reunite with my relatives.

    Being a Chinese-American adolescent makes me different from my pure Chinese or pure American counterparts. When I come to China people regard me with interest, because I dress, act and speak differently to typical Chinese teenagers. When I go to school in America, I am one of only three or four Asian students in the entire school. Being an ABC (American Born Chinese) is both a blessing and a curse, but if given the choice, I wouldn’t change my ethnicity, experiences or culture for anything.