Melissa: "We Should All Try Our Best to Understand Each Other."

Interviewer 记者: Ami

Translator 翻译: Ami

Editor 编辑: Ami

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English version

Please introduce yourself.

I am Melissa, a native of China who was born and raised in Canada. I returned to China when I was two years old, and lived in Tianjin, Shanghai and Yangzhou for many years, until I returned to Canada in third grade. Now I am an IB student in Grade 12.

What’s your cultural background? Could you briefly introduce it?

I would say that my cultural background is mainly Chinese-based, and my father is in an ethnic group called Zhuang, so I am a quarter of the minority. But because I have lived in Canada longer, I know Canada better. I haven't taken many history and culture courses in China. If it is defined by nationality, I am Canadian. This makes me seem to be a foreigner in both countries.

Which community you feel more connect to?

I am often asked "where are you from" even though I was born in Canada. It also causes me to have more friends from China and Asia.

How do you interact with people from other cultural background?

I will look for what we have in common, such as YouTube videos that we all like. There are also some friends who we met at school. For example, we all have the same class.

What are some stereotypes others may have towards your culture?

Many people say I am smart, but I am not. . . And usually, no matter what your nationality is, the locals always acquiesce that you are an immigrant or an international student. Many of my Japanese and Korean friends are often mistaken, and others will directly ask if they are from China.

What do you think about the problem of cultural barrier?

It feels like often these things happen in places that we don't realize, as if we recognize these stereotypes ourselves. For example, I didn't even realize that almost all my friends around me were Asian, until I was asked this question, I found that I rarely seemed to be able to integrate into all westerners.

What would you say to someone who is facing the problem of cultural barrier or new to the community?

I think it's very important to accept new things. People from China, Westerners or other places should try their best to understand other people's cultures.

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中文版本

请介绍一下你自己

我是 Melissa 是在加拿大出生长大的中国人，在两岁的时候回到中国，先后居住在天津，上海和扬州，直到三年级才回到加拿大。 现在是高中12年级的一名IB学生。

你的文化背景是什么?你能介绍一下吗?

我会说我的文化背景是中国人，我的爸爸是壮族，所以我算是1/4的少数民族。但是因为我在加拿大生活的时间更长所以我可能更加了解加拿大，主要也是因为我在中国没有学习过很多历史和文化课程。如果是用国籍来定义的话我是加拿大人。这就导致我在两个国家都好像外国人一样。【笑】

你觉得与哪个社区联系更紧密？

我经常会被问“你从哪里来“尽管我出生在加拿大， 这也导致我中国和亚洲朋友更多因为我没有这更多相同的经历，特别是其他的华裔。

你如何与来自其他文化背景的人互动？

我会寻找我们之间的共同点，比如我们都喜欢的YouTube视频。还有一些朋友是在学校认识的，比如我们都上同样的课。

其他人对你的文化有什么刻板印象?

很多人说我smart其实我不是。。。还有通常不管你的国籍是什么，当地人总是默认你是移民或者留学生。我的很多日本和韩国的朋友经常被认错，别人会直接问是不是中国人。

你怎么看待文化隔阂的问题?

感觉很多时候这些东西都发生在我们没有意识到的地方，就好像我们自己也认可这些刻板印象一样。比如我自己都没有意识到我身边的朋友几乎全都是亚洲人，直到我被问到这个问题才发现我似乎很少能够融入到西人的全体里面。

你想对一个面临文化障碍问题的人说些什么?

我觉得接受新事物很重要，不管是中国人还是西人还是哪里人都应该尽量去理解别人的文化。