Bridging Culture Interview Paper

Our culture refers to the beliefs, traditions that are passed from one generation to the other. Our ethnicity culture is the foundation of who we essentially are in life. For the Bridging Culture Part II assignment I interviewed Dr.Linda Lin Yuezhen, (she goes by Dr.Lin). She was born in China, in Longyan a city southwestern to Fujian province. Both parents, retired teachers still live in Longyan and she has eight siblings. The language Dr.Lin speaks is Mandarin. She obtained two degrees; her first one was a Computer Science Degree in Engineering, then her current degree as a physician. In 1993, her husband and she decided to come to the United States to continue with her education, doing her residency, fellowship in Texas. She is

In the Chinese culture, Dr. Lin described the importance of her traditions. One traditional event is the Chinese year, it’s observed on the first day of the lunar month of the year. It may fall anywhere between January 15- February 15. The Chinese New Year days is different from each year, it’s based on the lunar calendar. It’s a big celebration, where the whole families re-unites, and enjoy traditional food. Along with New Year Celebration, the lantern festival is important. The lanterns are colorful; they come in different shapes fueled with flickering flames that are meant to float up in the sky at night. This culture custom symbolizes good fortune.

Another traditional in Chinese culture is Mid-Autumn Festival held on August 15, according to the Chinese calendar. On this day, it inspires family to re-unite. Dr. Lin compare this day to Thanksgiving. Food offerings during the dinner are, moon cakes, fruits and they traditional Chinese food. In an additional traditional day that Dr.Lin celebrates is on July 7th, which is Western Valentine’s Day for her. Is a simple celebration to commemorate you partner. Her tradition, they exchange Chinese coffee mugs among her husband and her. Its’ a tradition that they have been doing for

One of the stereotypes, is “all Asian are nerdy”. Dr.Lin disclosed in the interview, that her daughter has fallen in this stereotype. Her daughter is usually a straight A+ student, but because of this stereotype, her daughter on purpose would not turn in assignments, so she can make a B average in her class. Being in high school and Chinese, there is a lot of pressure being accepted by peers. This stereotype made it difficult for her daughter. Another stereotype is that Chinese are not good Athletes and that most Chinese are Doctors, Engineers because they are good in math. Some additional stereotypes is all Chinese play an instrument, they are hardworking people. They like to save money till the last penny, they don’t use credit cards, and they prepare for a pre-crisis