"Beijing Has Completely Changed the Way I View Risk" Abey Lin Speaks With The Beijinger

(SOURCE) https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2019/12/22/wdk-watch-abey-lin-lin-im-shang

From The Beijinger:

Welcome to Wudaokou Watch, where we profile a different Beijing-based student from abroad each week to hear about their life in China's capital. You can read the whole series here.

My name is Abey Lin (林林尚龙), and I am from San Francisco, California in the United States of America.

I am studying film production, specializing in film directing, at the Beijing Film Academy. Since I was young, I have always found myself expressing myself and my emotions through creative arts, and towards the end of high school, I found myself wondering if there was any way to really combine and fuse all these artistic outlets together. Hence I found the magic of filmmaking. I wanted to pursue my education in film production and directing to further cultivate my understanding of film, and develop my filmmaking abilities with the goal to one day create films that connect and change the world.

Many people do not know quite how amazingly diverse and culturally-rich some areas in America can be. For example, I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, in Northern California, and for most of my life, I truly believed that the mixing and sharing of cultures, racially diverse classrooms, and multicultural events/celebrations in school were what was normal in this world. From Chinatown porridge shops to classic American diners, and from learning about and celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year, and Hanukkah in one year in school, the diversity found in certain parts of America is truly remarkable.

As a fourth-generation Chinese American, I was raised to really appreciate and embrace my bicultural background. I have grown up celebrating both eastern and Western holidays, and both the Chinese and American cultures have truly imbedded itself into my identity.

I believe that choosing between being a Chinese citizen or an American citizen would honestly not change too much.

In the first few weeks of fully living in Beijing, I didn't pay enough attention to the maps. I had a tendency to accidentally miss a stop on the subway or bus, or inaudible try to describe where I wanted to go on a few taxis, ultimately bringing me to some random skewer restaurant 15 kilometers from my intended location.

When I was born, I was diagnosed with an immense amount of deadly severe allergies. For many years of my life I ate only rice and special custom soy sauce my parents ordered in, and spent most of my time in my home.  Many doctors in the United States stated that my conditions were incurable, however, my parents refused to accept that answer.

When I was five, my parents decided to take me to Beijing for the first time, and in combination with my Western medication, I spent three months doing traditional Chinese medicine and remedies. That in combination with the influx of a completely new environment caused a miracle. When I returned home, I was able to eat strawberries. Every year in my youth, I would return to Beijing for two to three months, and with the fusion of Western and Eastern treatments, and the exposure to various climates/environments, by the time I was 15 I was able to eat almost all food, run, dance, and play sports.

My parents knew the dangers of bringing me to Beijing as a child but instead decided to take the risk, which ultimately lead to curing the incurable conditions that I had. Thus with that, after high school, I too decided to take a risk and leave my comfort zone to pursue my dreams in Beijing, and throughout my life here as I continue to gain amazing priceless opportunities and experiences daily.

Beijing has completely changed the way I view risk.

Though somewhat cliche, I really believe that touring the Forbidden City and Summer Palace are awe-inspiring activities that everyone should try to get a chance to experience. From the deep intricate stories painted on the ceilings of every building to the grand halls and towers, both the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace are true staples to the beauty, depth, and wonder of the Chinese culture.

When I am back home, one of the things I miss most is Beijing’s efficiency and speed. From ordering waimai from hundreds of restaurants and stores to scanning QR codes on a single app to add contacts, buy event tickets, and even pay for food and groceries, Beijing has an undeniably unique fast pace lifestyle that is hard to find anywhere else.

One custom I really admire in China is what I like to call 'One Family.' Often times, no matter if you are meeting a friend’s relative for the first time, going to a party, or even just getting a haircut, people in Beijing are often willing to open up and share their warmth with you. Whether you are looking for help or finding a friend, people here are almost never too shy to lend a hand. And once you share some great moments with people from all over, it really starts to feel like one big family. 

I believe that China would really flourish creatively with the embrace of cross-cultural stories. Back in the United States, tales from all around the world are often shared and told and can be seen throughout pop-culture like Disney movies. I think that with China’s long history being filled with amazing and rich stories, an amazing way to really expand and grow the creative industries in China would be to welcome the inclusion and maybe even fusion of more tales and legends from other parts of the world.

In five years I hope to be working as an international film director and actor, working in-between both Beijing and Hollywood, and have my own film production company producing works that can be watched and appreciated by all nations. I also hope to find success in other outlets of my creativity including creating a flourishing fashion brand and releasing some music albums. (I would also want to have both a pet husky and corgi as my beloved sidekicks).

You love what you love for a reason, so go chase your dreams, even if it happens to be on the other side of the Pacific Ocean. Trust your heart, and pursue what truly makes you happy.