Unlike many local or English-speaking students who could easily provide context of
their cultural backgrounds from a Western perspective, non-English speakers tend to
introduce themselves based on their nationality. As a Chinese student studying in the
United States, I've noticed other Chinese students most likely only identify themselves
as Chinese without mentioning cultural backgrounds such as their home cities or
languages.
Besides, since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, the Asian community in the United
State has been inundated by a wave of racist attacks. As an Asian artist and student, I
feel obligated to reveal and convey the beautiful stories within the Asian International
student community. This project features portraits of Chinese-speaking students and
immigrants, and their stories about their homes.
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"I'm from Jiaxing, Zhejiang province. 'It's a city 20 minutes from Shanghai' I used to
introduce my hometown this way. I was ashamed of where I came from when I first
moved to the U.S. because I needed to explain where it is.” —Luyi