I found visiting with Justin Chen really interesting. His Chinese name is Xingting Chen, which is impossible to pronounce, so he gave himself an American name. When I suggested I take his picture by the American flag, he said that would be wonderful!
He traveled from China to Calgary, Canada. "I used to study for over one year." Justin is currently waiting for a study visa to study in Portland, Oregon. "I got an offer from Portland Community College, and I applied for a change from a visitor visa to a student visa."
While he waits for a change in his Visa status, "I just picked some place to stay and waiting for my study visa process to be completed." It is supposed to take two to three more weeks. So Justin randomly opens Facebook to find a place. And here he is for a short time on a tourist visa.
"I love small towns as well. I wanted to experience some life here."
Justin studied automotive service technology in Calgary. "I chose this major because
somebody told me that after I graduate, I can easily find a job in Canada. My main and final goal is to immigrate to North America from China. I left China in October.
I asked him why he immigrated. He said, "I love freedom. I love democracy. I realized my country is a dictatorship. We don't have freedom, even freedom of speech or whatever."
Justin came from a smaller town near Shanghai. He pronounced it differently than we do.
He said he would like an American accent so he can communicate well while he lives here. He learned English in China.
Justin is 40 but doesn't look it. "I love sports. I go to the gym a lot and play basketball. And even now, I think I can still play.
I explained that I wanted to interview him because his story would be different from ours. "This country is like a diverse country, with many people. It's actually, it's my honor to be interviewed."
I told him I like Chinese food. He smiled and said that I must try real Chinese food. "It is very good."
In China, Justin's family would be considered middle class. Justin is an only child due to the one-child policy. His mother supports him, but when he left, his father was not in good health. "My mom takes care of him every day in the nursing house."
"In some areas in China, if you only have a child and it's one girl, it's not good for that girl. If they only have a girl, that girl eventually will be others ...will be like the husband's property or whatever."
When I asked about China's economy, Justin said, "I think it's getting worse and worse because, you know, our leader, Chinese leaders, they, he knows nothing about the economy.
I asked him if there was anything he wanted us to know. "After I lived here, I got baptized. I respect the value of America, of a freedom country, and the reason I got baptized. I'm a Christian because it's your culture. This is where I learn this. And I really believe there is God of this alive, one, alive, yes, yes, so. In China, the Chinese don't believe. They don't have religion, okay? And it's horrible, no? Most of them believe only in power, wealth, money, and stuff like that.
