I feel more American, too, than Chinese. For example, I root for the U.S. team in U.S. v. China/Taiwan sports matches. Though I eat just about everything, I tend to prefer American or Western food over Chinese/Asian cuisine.

Also, yeah, I went to Chinese School for nine years and I took L5 Chinese here at Yale, but I still can’t read the Chinese newspaper and I still stumble when speaking in Chinese, not having a sufficiently developed Chinese vocabulary.

I want to learn the Chinese language better, partially because of my heritage and also partially because it’s a useful language, but as I plan to settle in the U.S., I know that I will never be able to acquire the familiarity with Chinese culture and language that my first-generation parents have. I might marry someone of a completely different culture and I know my children will be even less familiar with Chinese culture. But I accept these facts and am okay with them. In my heart, I identify foremost as an American citizen. I feel most passionate and patriotic for the United States and American culture.