Rediscovering My Chinese American Identity as a Student in Shanghai

Overcoming doubts

When I first decided to come to Shanghai, I was filled with doubt. From everything I had heard about study abroad, I knew I should choose a location that guaranteed constant adventure. But I’d been to Shanghai before, and in fact, to China a couple times. As a Chinese American who spoke fluent Mandarin, I worried that I had made the wrong decision. What could be different? Could I immerse myself more this time? Will I regret this?

But after I arrived, I felt reassured. In the past, I had always visited China with my parents, so everything I experienced was with them, and everything I learned was filtered through their perspective. This time, I would experience China on my own and learn more about the place my parents and family call home.

My identity is more complex than my citizenship

Before coming to China, I was much more settled into my identity as an American. Though my parents were immigrants with roots elsewhere, being born and raised in the U.S. led me to put that before my Chinese heritage. My time in Shanghai reminded me that my identity is much more complex than my citizenship.

I realized that I can find home in China as well. All our on-site IFSA staff are Shanghainese, and they helped me explore the city and connect with resources on our host campus. Beyond getting to know Shanghai, the flexible schedule allowed me to explore new places in China, as well as visit my parents’ hometowns.

Rediscovery and what’s next

My semester was not only immensely fulfilling as a study abroad experience, but also an unexpected way to rediscover parts of my identity I couldn’t fully embrace at home. I have often overlooked my Chinese cultural and linguistic backgrounds, but here, I was able to fully utilize and find communities through then. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity, and I hope to continue to appreciate and celebrate this aspect of my identity when I return home.

Rachel Z. | Georgetown University| IFSA Study in Shanghai: Social Sciences | Spring 2025