A favorite story about adapting to life in America:

Because I was born in the US, I never felt like I was an outsider or ever had to "adapt". I always felt lucky that I could be both Chinese and American - never having to choose. Moving to Hong Kong in my mid-twenties was not much of an adjustment either. I think it's a testament to my parents that I was raised to feel comfortable in the US, as well as in Asia.

On feeling truly American:

Honestly, I didn't really feel "American" until September 11. I was raised in a very traditional Chinese family, which appreciated other cultures - my grandparents and parents were educated in Europe and are definitely Europhiles - but was deeply rooted in Chinese culture and was proud of being Chinese. Although I loved American history and thought of myself as a "modern woman", I only truly appreciated the freedom and safety we enjoyed when it was threatened by the 9/11 attacks.

On feeling not fully American:

I suppose I feel very lucky that I cannot recall a time when I did not feel fully accepted as an American. The only time I ever felt "different" was in first grade, when our unlabeled baby pictures were put on display and the class had to identify the unnamed baby in each picture. Everyone dismissed mine as too easy and moved on to the "harder" ones.

Browse similar portraits: