Why New York City “The Big Apple” is so attractive to a city-lover

I have to admit, I hate places that don’t have any tall buildings. It makes me lazy and it makes me feel insignificant (I know, I’m pretty weird.).

I grew up in a metropolitan environment, and it’s awesome. The excitement of the city, the tireless people strolling up and down the streets, the never-ending sirens, and the feeling of being a member of something legitimate.

I know this is cliche, but damn I love New York. The level of excitement that constantly surrounds the city has made me fallen with the Big Apple. However, there are other reasons, let me explain.

1. Talent – As the talent central of the world, New York attracts the best people from around the world. I want to be in the same conversation as those talents and I want to work with and compete against the best.
2. Activities – In order to supply the humongous demand of fun, the city has to come up with unique venues and activities to satisfy the people who have come from different backgrounds. Broadway shows, dive bars, expansive parks, authentic restaurants…etc. You name it, the city has it.

   

   What to do in New York City

3. Creativity – Not only does NYC have the best talent, it is the hub for creativity. Whether it be artists, monuments, city planning, technology, fun, or businesses, the city is an embodiment of creativity. The creative masterminds who are actively brainstorming how to make the city better are also laying down paths for where the world is headed in the upcoming years.
4. Diversity – I love that the city houses so many people that come from so many different backgrounds. It is everyone’s home.

My dream is to work in New York, and I will do everything in my power to get there.

A friendship taking place in China, Canada, and US

We all have that special someone in our life who we can depend on and tell everything to. My best friend, Andrew Yeung, is that person. I became friends with Andrew in Shanghai American School in China and that friendship is still going strong after seven years, including going to two different universities (Boston University & University of Toronto) in two different countries for the last three years.

In high school, Andrew was my partner in crime. In college, Andrew motivates me to be the best I can be. I wouldn’t be where I am today without his support and advice, and I am extremely thankful for that.

For someone who stands only 5’7, he has a big heart and a huge personality. Looks-wise, Andrew could be my younger brother, but he is definitely my older brother when it comes to maturity and knowledge of the world.

Andrew’s success (he interned at JWT, one of the top Advertising firms in the world) indirectly motivates me to step up my own game and match his. As a dynamic duo, we are always competing against each other. From competing in sports in high school to competing in our careers now, we motivate each other to excel in our own area of expertise. At the same time, our friendship has solidified as we grew to understand each other not just as best friends but as professionals. At the end of the day, our dream is to work together in the same city.

I am fortunate to have Andrew as my partner in crime, competitor, and best friend. And it’s awesome to know that this bond is only getting stronger.

This picture was taken in Prague.

What language & culture barriers look like for third culture kids

Being a third culture kid (TCK) means you are constantly exposed to multiple languages and cultures. In my case, I have to deal with my family’s Chinese roots and at the same time adapt to the American culture here in Boston. It’s honestly a great experience because sometimes you’re getting the best from both worlds, but other times, you’re having trouble communicating with people.

Check out this video made by third culture kids!

I have to admit, my parents know very little about what I do at school. Not that I’m ashamed of telling them what I do, but I feel like they won’t understand due to the way they are brought up. Especially now that I’m more independent, I’m telling them even less. Sometimes they get mad at me for the lack of communication, but really…it’s hard communicating them. In terms of my grandparents and other family members, communication is almost nonexistent, they don’t have a clue about what I’m up to. I remember dating a blonde girl in high school and my grandma was pretty upset about that for a good month because she’s always wanted me to marry a local Chinese girl. I’ve tried to talk to my relatives about what I do, but it’s really discouraging when all they care about is “Simon, are you eating well at school?” or “Are you you dressed warm enough for the weather?” I get that they care about my wellbeing, but sometimes it would be cool if I could talk to them more about who I am as a person.

In terms of coexisting with my friends here in the US, I can pretty much be myself. At the end of the day, I do dress American, speak American English, and I know the culture pretty well. However, there will forever be a culture barrier when my housemates talk about the TV shows, songs, celebrities, family traditions they grew up interacting with. Growing up in China exposed me to the mainstream cultures in the US and around the world, and very little about things that are happening within just the US. For example, basketball is an international American sport, and football on the other hand is very American. As a result, I know a ton about NBA but almost nothing about NFL. However, the past three years in the US have significantly diminished that barrier. I am now able to have a conversation with an average American on almost any topic.

Being an international student who has studied in two very different countries has been the biggest asset of my life. I am proud to embody both cultures.

Me at a family dinner.

 

What the job market in US looks like after college for international students

Every student goes to college with the mission to land their dream job, and this is even more so for international students. For almost all international students, we tailored our education path from elementary school to high school so that we are well-prepared to receive the level of education at US colleges. Luckily, many of us were able to achieve that goal and are now attending some of the most prestigious universities in the world.

Little did we know, however, that an education in the US does not automatically guarantee a future career in the US. In fact, that outcome is nearly impossible. All international students have to first get an offer from a company who is willing to sponsor them. That company will have to file an application and pay a fee around 5000 USD. And to make everything worse, even after a company chooses to pay the money for that applicant, he/she might not even get the work visa because it is a lottery system. In other words, no company in their right mind would sponsor a foreign applicant unless that person is a friggin genius…

As a graduating senior, the struggle is very real. Having to deal with all that on top of school and internship is gradually killing my confidence to be able to stay in this country. I have been networking relentlessly in the hope of building personal connections at companies I would like to work for. Only with those personal connections would companies actually listen to your sponsorship bullcrap.

The US really needs to treat foreigners better…

 

Transitioning from high school to college for international students

When I first arrived at BU as a freshman, I missed home quite a lot. I remember keeping pictures in my tiny dorm to remind me of how life was back at home in Shanghai. I had pictures of friends, family and the city. I remember calling my high school friends and chatting with them everyday and updating each other about how life in college is different and how hard it is to adjust. All I could think about first semester was going back home in the winter to see my family and friends. There was definitely a transition at first. I could no longer buy alcohol whenever I wanted (not necessarily a good thing…but I do miss it), I could no longer go to bars or clubs, I was seeing more Caucasians than Asians, I had to be independent…etc. Too many unfamiliar things overwhelmed my first semester of Freshman year.

Luckily, that feeling of strangeness faded as I progressed into my Sophomore, Junior, and now Senior year of college. I enjoy the company of my friends here in college, I enjoy roadtripping in my Volvo S60 to the beautiful towns and cities outside of Boston, and most importantly, I enjoy being in charge of my own future.

Going back to Shanghai (get a taste of Shanghai here) is always going to be fun. Seeing family and old friends brings back childhood memories. However, I have grown to realize that life is always moving forward. Life doesn’t wait for you to dwell on the past. And life happens to everyone. As a senior, life is full of responsibilities. Projects, exams, presentations, internships, job applications are just a small portion of what is going on.

People should always embrace their upbringing, but dwelling on that will only slow them down. It’s important to always move forward.

What it feels like to not have a home

Hey. This is my story.

I was born in Sydney, Australia in 1994. My family moved to Shanghai, China when I was three. I didn’t have a hard time adjusting to the culture in China because…1) I freaking looked just like the other one billion Chinese people and 2) I knew way too little about Australia to care. Heck, I don’t even think I possessed the necessary “consciousness” at the time to recognize what was going on…Anyway, I considered Shanghai to be home because I lived there for the most of my life and I built some pretty serious friendships during my 15 years there.

Check out a time lapse video of Shanghai here.

Oh yeah. It was awesome being a foreigner in a booming city like Shanghai. My friends and I could pretty much get away with anything by speaking English. I remember going out to bars and clubs when I was in middle school. No one ever gave me trouble because I was a foreigner. Other than the crazy night life, the city itself was a quite a beauty. There was always something to do, something to see.
Most foreigners send their kids to international schools in China. I was lucky to attend one of the most prestigious international school in Shanghai called “Shanghai American School“. Although most of the students came from the US, I was exposed to cultural backgrounds from all over the world. I loved it man. It was a tight-knit community. It felt like home.

However, as I matured, I started to question my own identity. I constantly asked myself “where am I really from?” I was an Australian passport holder who grew up in China under an American system…like what the hell right? This question still bothers me today. I remember having to introduce myself during college orientation week. It was tough because there was no way for me to answer where I’m from in a single sentence.

Whatever. “Homeless” could also be interpreted as “Global citizen”. My lack of self-identity has cultivated my adaptive personality. But still, it would be nice to know I belong somewhere…