un-american girl

This afternoon we had our official opening ceremony at the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). While we anticipated an informal gathering of MOST representatives, NSFC, and us, we were sorely mistaken.

There were about 20 reporters, officials from MOST, NSFC, CSTEC, and the American Chamber of Commerce. There was a group photo prior to the start of the ceremony followed by opening remarks and other speeches by various officials. The ceremony was video-recorded and broadcast on CCTV 4.

Prior to beginning, some reporters from CCTV asked to interview two of the program participants. The reporters were careful to select students that were “obviously” American, i.e. Caucasian looking. It’s funny how Americans with a European or African descent are treated so differently from those with Asian backgrounds.

There are both benefits and losses to “looking Chinese” while staying in Beijing. Although I will never be singled out to hold someone’s child for a photo or to be in a commercial or interview, I am rarely hassled by vendors and beggars. Unfortunately my Chinese is not good enough for me to pass as a native. Almost without fail, I have the following conversation with a native in which he/she discovers that I am not Chinese:

Chinese Person: What is your nationality?

Me: I am Vietnamese American.

Chinese Person: Oh! Vietnamese. I thought you were Chinese. Vietnamese, huh?

Me: Yep.

Chinese Person: Where did you learn to speak Chinese? It is good. (Disclaimer: Chinese people are pretty polite and if you are not Chinese and can say “Ni hao” or hello, they will compliment your Chinese.)

Me: I studied Chinese in college and studied at Beijing Normal University for six months.

Chinese Person: Oh, okay, that explains it!