Wè
i Hàn: My Journey to Learning Mandarin My name is Wei Han, and I am a proud Chinese American. Growing up in the United States, I always felt a disconnect from my heritage. My parents spoke Mandarin fluently, but I only knew a few phrases. As I got older, I realized the importance of reconnecting with my culture, and the best way to do that was to learn Mandarin. I started my journey in college, taking beginner Mandarin courses. It was a struggle at first, with tones and characters that were completely foreign to me. But as I practiced more and more, I began to find joy in recognizing characters and understanding basic phrases. After college, I was fortunate enough to teach English in China for a year. Living in a Mandarin-speaking environment forced me to improve my speaking and listening skills. I was able to have conversations with locals and even make some friends. When I returned to the United States, I continued to study Mandarin on my own. I watched Chinese dramas and listened to Mandarin music, trying to immerse myself as much as possible. I also found language exchange partners online, allowing me to practice speaking with native speakers. Learning Mandarin has transformed my relationship with my culture. I feel a stronger sense of pride and connection to my heritage, and I am grateful for the ability to communicate in a language that is so important to me. It has also opened up many opportunities for me, whether it be connecting with Chinese colleagues or traveling to China with more ease. To anyone interested in learning Mandarin, I encourage you to start small and be patient with yourself. The journey may be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. Who knows, maybe you'll find a deeper connection to your culture along the way, just like I did.