Identity Crisis: An Interview with Chia-Hung “Johnny” Chou, a Chinese American

When you ask Chia-hung Chou where he is from, he might tell you the United States, or he might tell you China.  Identifying himself as a Chinese American, Chia-hung, or Johnny as he likes to be called, claims both an American and a Chinese identity.  However, his split identity has not come about without challenges.  Currently studying at Minzu University through a University of Oklahoma Education Abroad exchange program, Chou has learned that finding his roots in his “native” country has not been easy.  “My experiences in China have been both overwhelming and an identity struggle.”  Despite the struggle, Chou has learned the importance of embracing not only one’s own culture, but challenges the students at OU to step outside of their own identities to explore the world around them.

Chou grew up in the United States, but is very Chinese in both culture and background.  Both his mother and father’s families fled from mainland China after the Chinese Civil War and settled in Taiwan, where both his parents grew up.  Eventually, Chou’s parents immigrated to the United States, raising Chou and his brother in the United States.  Chou speaks highly of his upbringing, and is thankful that his parents “never forced my brother and me into ‘things’ we didn’t want.”  His father taught him the value of hard work, and told him to “never, ever give into the pressure of others, and believe in a better day.”

Chou exhibits these values in the way he pursues education at the University of Oklahoma.  As a member of the Honors College, Chou chose to have three majors:  Chinese, Economics, and Finance (with a minor in Asian studies).  Interestingly enough, Chou’s love for economics came about not from books, but from watching the film, A Beautiful Mind.  He references the bar scene in the film where Russell Crowe’s character uses Game Theory in picking up women, and claims, “I became interested in Economics as a result of that scene.”  As if three majors were not enough, Chou also has found time to become an Honors College mentor and has participated in many leadership programs and earned several honors at OU.

The most significant part of Chou’s study at OU however, is his drive to learn more about the culture he came from.  In choosing to study abroad through OU, Chou said his reason was to find more of his Chinese identity.  “I wanted to live the ‘Chinese’ part of my identity” and “try to live as a Chinese by being in the Chinese society.”  So, Chou enrolled in the language training program at Minzu University, and is currently studying there until December of this year.

 
Some of the challenges Chou faced when arriving in China were those that any American might face.  “I felt confused and vulnerable,” (when first arriving in Beijing),” but stayed because “I could never break promises I made” (to study abroad).  Yet Chou’s challenges have superseded those of any average “westerner” studying in China due to his duel-identity.   “I had difficulties in ‘persuading’ and ‘convincing’ Americans that I am an American because they thought I was another Chinese that wanted to ‘practice’ English with them.”  On the other hand “some Chinese didn’t believe I am Chinese.”  Despite his challenges abroad, Chou has embraced his time in China and plans to return in the future.  He wants to “reconnect with my roots and hope to be recognized as a Chinese, but I also want to be recognized as an American.”  

Not only does Chou embrace the challenges of studying in China, but he hopes to bring back more Chinese culture and studies to OU, because he believes that China is not fully represented on campus.  “I firmly believe that OU is ready for a much more sophisticated presentation of China because OU is one of few universities in the U.S. that has an abundance of exposure to China.”  He believes that there could be a stronger emphasis on traditional Chinese culture, not just on politics and economics.

Chou has treasured his time at OU, especially valuing his education within the Honors College where he “received the most personal growth,” and the Forensics Program, where he had to learn to “break out” of his shyness.  Chou especially thanks his honors professors for pushing him to live up to all of his potential.  Students like Chou showcase everything that OU has to offer, and in the future, Chou will take what he has learned as a student at OU and share it with the world.  “One day,” he says, “I hope to return to China as a U.S. diplomat to China.”  OU hopes that his dreams will come true.