I was adopted from china when I was six months old and raised in America on the east coast. This project reflects my own connections with my heritage and my interpretations of being both Chinese and American.
Digital. Los Angeles, CA, 2016
I started learning Mandarin in 4th grade through a private instructor fortunately in my home town. I can't remember if it was me or my parents who signed me up, but ever since I've been learning the language. In college, I took a year off due to other classes, but picked it right back up my sophomore year. And although, Ithaca College doesn't offer Chinese as a minor, they have four language classes.
Mandarin has allowed me to explore a language I would have known if I grew up in China. Being adopted, I have mainly the American experience, but being able to incorporate Mandarin has connected me to my other culture.
Going to college also helped me explore more of who I am and where I fit as an Asian American. These photos represent two parts of me: my American and my Chinese. I identify as both, sharing in both cultures.
