Not Chinese Enough,Not American Enough,Change is Belonging | Victoria Zhang | TEDxYouth@YCYWShanghai
Change is one of the main things all of us have to deal with. Especially during moments of change, it is difficult, so we all tend to avoid it. However, no matter how big or small, it is essential that we face these changes bravely. Change, whether influenced by our parents or a decision we make to try something new, will shape our experiences and ideas. These changes help us see more of the wider world and are a core part of our identities. In her speech, the speaker shares her experience of moving from America to Shanghai. Through her story, she hopes you will see “change” in a new way. Victoria is a middle school student in Shanghai, China. She has been caught between two worlds: never fully “Chinese” in Shanghai, never fully “American” in Texas. After struggling with Chinese language classes recently, Victoria discovered true belonging comes from embracing change, not resisting it. Through this journey, she found there is still something that connects her with both China and the US - swimming! Back in the US, she loved swimming; it was one of her most favoured hobbies. After moving to China, she felt disoriented, like something from her life was missing. But recently, after starting swimming again, she found herself gaining a sense of confidence, and once again, she felt like she was home again. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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