The transition from one culture to another is never simple. When Haolin’s family immigrated to the U.S. in 2014, they at least had the cushion of settling in Flushing, Queens, otherwise known as the “Chinese Manhattan”. A melting pot of different Asian cultures, each neighborhood usually reflects a province back in China (as well as a large Korean population), much in the same way the Lower East Side could have whole blocks dedicated to towns back in Italy or Ireland.
Main St., Flushing, Queens. Most of these signs are in the Traditional Chinese dialect, due to the extensive Chinese immigrant population.
As the 2nd biggest Chinese/Asian neighborhood in NYC, behind Brooklyn’s Chinatown and in front of Manhattan’s Chinatown, it provided a way for Haolin to retain living a native Chinese lifestyle. Because of New York City’s ethnic diversity as well as it’s ethnic regionalism/segmentation, Haolin moved into a section of New York that helped make the transition smoother. From similar foods and smells to similar languages (even dishes from his home province!), it helped him retain some familiarity with his culture while getting used to American society. He’s appreciative of his family’s choice, but Flushing, like most of New York City, is loud, bustling, and dirty.
“I think it is much easier to live in Flushing than many other parts of New York, largely because most people here still remain a Chinese living style. However, there are a lot of downsides of living in Flushing. It is dirty and noisy.”
Probably due in part to the recent rise in xenophobia in America (thanks a lot, Trump), Haolin’s family had to wait a decade to receive their visa to the United States. There wasn’t a huge desire on Haolin’s part to immigrate immediately, as he felt comfortable living in the place he’d lived since he was born, so there wasn’t any anxiety in the 10 year waiting period for the visa. His parents, however, were beyond overjoyed at the news, especially his father’s relatives who had already immigrated to the U.S. and knew the opportunities available to Haolin there.
The Fuzhou province, directly across the Taiwan Strait from Taiwan
Despite the excitement, Haolin’s father remained in China, as his work situation was too stable and too lucrative to pass up, not to mention there’s still other parts of the Chen family in their home province of Fuzhou.
“One of the major reasons why we still decided to come is that it already took us a decade to wait for this visa, therefore we shouldn’t waste this chance.”
Haolin’s family were excited at the opportunities and potential career options available to Haolin in America, especially in NYC.
“They want me to receive a better education and opportunity, and New York City is an ideal place for ambition.”
When asked about ever returning to China, Haolin was torn. He deeply misses being immersed in the actual culture of his hometown, as the Fuzhou food in Flushing is good, but nowhere near as authentic as what he’s used to at home. He deeply misses friends and family that he only gets to see intermittently, like over the two month period he returned home this summer. He said it was great to get reacquainted with his loved ones, but it didn’t nearly feel long enough.
Downtown Fuzhou, eastern Chinese coast
“Basically, I miss everything about it there, since that is the place where I grew up and have the deepest connection with.”
If he were to actually return now, he would have to reenroll in high school, prepare for and take the strenuous college entrance exam, then spend four years at university in China. The opportunities available to him in New York and especially through the Macaulay Honors College are much more accessible and straight forward than a typical Chinese higher education. He’s also slowly but surely adjusting to the American way of life despite being submersed in the neighborhood of Flushing, and would probably experience some culture shock if he just up and moved back home to Fuzhou. His educational and career opportunities are more plentiful here, and his relocation to his home country is highly unlikely.
“I guess it’s only theoretically possible for me to resettle in China again.”
Although Haolin deeply misses his place of birth, he’s ready and looking forward to taking advantage of the career opportunities available here and building a career/future for himself here in America.
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