China's Two Major Challenges: Order and Faith

Recent Stanford MBA Grad Jason Jianyu Tu was born in 1989 in a small village 125 miles south of Xian--in what he termed a "sixth-tier city," meaning, "There's a very slim chance you can be successful." (See post one.) His parents, well aware of this, searched for ways out of this small village, and eventually found a path to Xian. (See post two.) The big city of Xian--although only a hop, skip and a jump away--was like a different planet, with buses and fast food and a really tough school. (See post three.) Jason gave up trying to do well in school, instead focusing his energy where his passions lay: guitar and blockbuster movies. (See post four.) While Jason's high school headmaster did not have high hopes that Jason would get a college degree, Jason jumped through hoop after hoop to get accepted to the University of Washington. His only problem? Funding. (See post five.) Thanks, however, to a mass e-mail marketing campaign, Jason found himself accepted to the University of Evansville in Indiana. (See post six.) He was thrilled...until he landed in what felt was the middle of nowhere. (See post seven.) As Jason was one of two Chinese people at the school, he was immediately the expert on anything and everything that had to do with China. (See post eight.) Not only that, but he was soon paired up with an American host family, something he looks back on as a very important part of his life. (See post nine.) Despite the warm welcome in Evansville, he decided he needed to move to a bigger place. (See post ten.) Upon graduating with a degree in Economics from Purdue University, however, Jason still had trouble finding a job. He was initially relieved to get a Research Fellowship at Toulouse School of Economics in France. (See post eleven.) The inefficiency of France drove him nuts. (See post twelve.) When his professor failed to grade an important exam, Jason realized he was in the wrong spot. (post thirteen.) After a two-year stint working in Hong Kong, Jason applied to Stanford MBA program--and was accepted. (post fourteen.) As part of the MBA program, he was charged with leading a group of students to China. (post fifteen.) Upon graduation, Jason decided to start his own company Mioying and  join the ever-changing landscape of China (See post sixteen.) When asked about that landscape, he said that today's young people aren't that political, and not that concerned about the "speech issue." (post seventeen.)

Jason recommended the bookx Age of Ambition as the best way of describing China's current condition.  

But when pressed he said he sees two major challenges facing China: law and order, and faith in something outside money.

“I think faith is the bigger problem. They have no trust. All they’re shooting for is a better quality of life. Money is the faith. But they are starting to recognize their problems. “

“There were a lot of incidents that happened in the last few years that went viral on the internet. For example a little girl in Zhongshang was in a market and was hit by a car. Everyone was so busy transferring their supplies –noone even sent her to the hospital. She was hit three times. Nobody noticed. A lot of media discussion started up on the internet about, ‘What’s wrong with this society?’ It’s just people don’t know the answer. 

“Part of the problem of this is that people stopped believing that Communism is a religion. The government fails to communicate any message related to faith to the normal people, because people stopped believing in media. Once people stopped believing in media, you can’t communicate anything.”

Having said that Jason said that he’d noticed a kind of revival among young people to learn about old Chinese culture and traditions in an effort to regain some faith and some kind of moral guidelines. “I hope China can embrace more of the traditional values that have guided this society for thousands of years. Cause there are always laws and order, but not all the laws can cover everything. You have to have morals.”

(To Be Continued. Next: The Media is Not the Message.)

Freedom of Speech Not THAT Important

Recent Stanford MBA Grad Jason Jianyu Tu was born in 1989 in a small village 125 miles south of Xian--in what he termed a "sixth-tier city," meaning, "There's a very slim chance you can be successful." (See post one.) His parents, well aware of this, searched for ways out of this small village, and eventually found a path to Xian. (See post two.) The big city of Xian--although only a hop, skip and a jump away--was like a different planet, with buses and fast food and a really tough school. (See post three.) Jason gave up trying to do well in school, instead focusing his energy where his passions lay: guitar and blockbuster movies. (See post four.) While Jason's high school headmaster did not have high hopes that Jason would get a college degree, Jason jumped through hoop after hoop to get accepted to the University of Washington. His only problem? Funding. (See post five.) Thanks, however, to a mass e-mail marketing campaign, Jason found himself accepted to the University of Evansville in Indiana. (See post six.) He was thrilled...until he landed in what felt was the middle of nowhere. (See post seven.) As Jason was one of two Chinese people at the school, he was immediately the expert on anything and everything that had to do with China. (See post eight.) Not only that, but he was soon paired up with an American host family, something he looks back on as a very important part of his life. (See post nine.) Despite the warm welcome in Evansville, he decided he needed to move to a bigger place. (See post ten.) Upon graduating with a degree in Economics from Purdue University, however, Jason still had trouble finding a job. He was initially relieved to get a Research Fellowship at Toulouse School of Economics in France. (See post eleven.) The inefficiency of France drove him nuts. (See post twelve.) When his professor failed to grade an important exam, Jason realized he was in the wrong spot. (post thirteen.) After a two-year stint working in Hong Kong, Jason applied to Stanford MBA program--and was accepted. (post fourteen.) As part of the MBA program, he was charged with leading a group of students to China. (post fifteen.) Upon graduation, Jason decided to start his own company Mioying and  join the ever-changing landscape of China (See post sixteen.) 

By this point several hours had gone by, and I knew Jason had a dozen commitments begging for his attention. I felt guilty asking more questions, but I was fascinated by his story.  I asked him his impression of China today. 

“Young people don’t really care about international relations and environment and all that. All they care about is that they can buy a house, buy a property, raise their kids and give their kids a good education. At the same time, if the environment can improve that would be better. They just want economic success and stability. At the same time they are starting to be aware of the (freedom of) speech concept. They start to participate in online discussions. But Chinese people--my generation--are not so political. A lot of people just want to live better, and if they can live better they can put up with what’s happening in the government.”

(To be continued. Next: The Two Major Challenges China Faces.)

Doing Business in China...in the Grey Zone

Recent Stanford MBA Grad Jason Jianyu Tu was born in 1989 in a small village 125 miles south of Xian--in what he termed a "sixth-tier city," meaning, "There's a very slim chance you can be successful." (See post one.) His parents, well aware of this, searched for ways out of this small village, and eventually found a path to Xian. (See post two.) The big city of Xian--although only a hop, skip and a jump away--was like a different planet, with buses and fast food and a really tough school. (See post three.) Jason gave up trying to do well in school, instead focusing his energy where his passions lay: guitar and blockbuster movies. (See post four.) While Jason's high school headmaster did not have high hopes that Jason would get a college degree, Jason jumped through hoop after hoop to get accepted to the University of Washington. His only problem? Funding. (See post five.) Thanks, however, to a mass e-mail marketing campaign, Jason found himself accepted to the University of Evansville in Indiana. (See post six.) He was thrilled...until he landed in what felt was the middle of nowhere. (See post seven.) As Jason was one of two Chinese people at the school, he was immediately the expert on anything and everything that had to do with China. (See post eight.) Not only that, but he was soon paired up with an American host family, something he looks back on as a very important part of his life. (See post nine.) Despite the warm welcome in Evansville, he decided he needed to move to a bigger place. (See post ten.) Upon graduating with a degree in Economics from Purdue University, however, Jason still had trouble finding a job. He was initially relieved to get a Research Fellowship at Toulouse School of Economics in France. (See post eleven.) The inefficiency of France drove him nuts. (See post twelve.) When his professor failed to grade an important exam, Jason realized he was in the wrong spot. (post thirteen.) After a two-year stint working in Hong Kong, Jason applied to Stanford MBA program--and was accepted. (post fourteen.) As part of the MBA program, he was charged with leading a group of students to China. (post fifteen.) 

As a result of his trip to China, Jason changed his mind about where he wanted to be. “In the past only bribery or unofficial ways or connections (guanxi) could help you achieve. But with the technology wave there are so many entrepreneurs coming forth. Entrepreneurship and technology is really changing the landscape of China.”

Jason decided he wanted to be a part of that new landscape. Still, I'd heard the  nightmares of people returning to China with big dreams that got stomped on. Jason agreed.

“I am concerned about the (Chinese) government creating obstacles. One of the main headaches is not developing technology or getting the company set up. It is actually getting licenses from the Chinese government. 

“But at the same time, if I were to start a company in the U.S., I wouldn’t be able to start it at all because there are very strict legal requirements and compliance requirements in the finance industry. 

“In China, because the rules are not so well-defined, you get to operate in the grey area. Why do they (the Chinese government) allow this to happen? One thing is because there’s such a huge population, people need to feed themselves. Because so many people want to make a living and management in China are still learning to manage companies, small businesses/entrepreneurship are really flourishing.  The government is deliberately leaving spaces for them so that Chinese people can think of all ways to survive. 

“For example, in China there’s a lot of street vendors, small shops. In the U.S. you have Safeway, Whole Foods, etc. that dominate the industry, leaving no chance for the small vendors. The same is true in the finance industry. There are so many dominant players, and their rules are so well-defined, if you don’t have a very firm kind of financial background like from the Walton family, you can’t start anything because the number of licenses you have to accumulate—it takes a long time.  The best you can do is join one of these large groups.”

In August, Jason moved to Beijing to start an investment-product company called Mioying, which means ,”Earn Smartly.” He managed to gather a team of the Bay Area’s top engineers to work with him. “I feel fortunate to have cohorts who are willing to give up high salaries to go back to China and make a difference.”

The company will allow Chinese people to invest in American stocks and mutual funds. “China has tight control—so people are not able to buy American investment products or Hong Kong investment products.  The U.S. is still financially the best market to invest in. Through our platform, we will be providing access.”

(To Be Continued. Next: For Young Chinese, Freedom of Speech isn't THAT Important.)

Jason Leads Stanford Students Through Dynamic China

Recent Stanford MBA Grad Jason Jianyu Tu was born in 1989 in a small village 125 miles south of Xian--in what he termed a "sixth-tier city," meaning, "There's a very slim chance you can be successful." (See post one.) His parents, well aware of this, searched for ways out of this small village, and eventually found a path to Xian. (See post two.) The big city of Xian--although only a hop, skip and a jump away--was like a different planet, with buses and fast food and a really tough school. (See post three.) Jason gave up trying to do well in school, instead focusing his energy where his passions lay: guitar and blockbuster movies. (See post four.) While Jason's high school headmaster did not have high hopes that Jason would get a college degree, Jason jumped through hoop after hoop to get accepted to the University of Washington. His only problem? Funding. (See post five.) Thanks, however, to a mass e-mail marketing campaign, Jason found himself accepted to the University of Evansville in Indiana. (See post six.) He was thrilled...until he landed in what felt was the middle of nowhere. (See post seven.) As Jason was one of two Chinese people at the school, he was immediately the expert on anything and everything that had to do with China. (See post eight.) Not only that, but he was soon paired up with an American host family, something he looks back on as a very important part of his life. (See post nine.) Despite the warm welcome in Evansville, he decided he needed to move to a bigger place. (See post ten.) Upon graduating with a degree in Economics from Purdue University, however, Jason still had trouble finding a job. He was initially relieved to get a Research Fellowship at Toulouse School of Economics in France. (See post eleven.) The inefficiency of France drove him nuts. (See post twelve.) When his professor failed to grade an important exam, Jason realized he was in the wrong spot. (post thirteen.) After a two-year stint working in Hong Kong, Jason applied to Stanford MBA program--and was accepted. (post fourteen.)

As part of his MBA program, he led groups of his fellow students to China.

Stanford to Beijing

“They were really surprised and amazed at China. One of the company visits that we went to, a small start-up, the founder was telling us about the life in China. How in China they work ‘9-9-6,’ meaning nine am to nine pm, six days a week. One of my American classmates asked, ‘Is this legal???’

“The founder said nobody asks him to stay. He works so hard because he has a dream.”

For Jason, taking the Stanford group was an eye-opening experience. “I’ve struggled in different parts of the world. The only place that I didn’t struggle much was in the United States. When I first came back to the United States after three years abroad (France/Hong Kong), I told myself, “If I have an opportunity, I will just stay.” Especially given that this is Silicon Valley, the heart of the technology world.”

But after seeing China through the Stanford group’s eyes, he had a change of heart.

“When you work in the kitchen, you see all the dirty parts of your kitchen. When I worked in China I saw all the bad parts—the corruption, the bad environment. But when I took that Stanford group to China, of course you have to show them the good parts of China.” 

Showing them the good parts reminded him of just how many there were.  That trip changed Jason's future.

(To be Continued. Next: Doing Business in China...in the Grey Zone.)

Stanford: The Third Time's the Charm

Recent Stanford MBA Grad Jason Jianyu Tu was born in 1989 in a small village 125 miles south of Xian--in what he termed a "sixth-tier city," meaning, "There's a very slim chance you can be successful." (See post one.) His parents, well aware of this, searched for ways out of this small village, and eventually found a path to Xian. (See post two.) The big city of Xian--although only a hop, skip and a jump away--was like a different planet, with buses and fast food and a really tough school. (See post three.) Jason gave up trying to do well in school, instead focusing his energy where his passions lay: guitar and blockbuster movies. (See post four.) While Jason's high school headmaster did not have high hopes that Jason would get a college degree, Jason jumped through hoop after hoop to get accepted to the University of Washington. His only problem? Funding. (See post five.) Thanks, however, to a mass e-mail marketing campaign, Jason found himself accepted to the University of Evansville in Indiana. (See post six.) He was thrilled...until he landed in what felt was the middle of nowhere. (See post seven.) As Jason was one of two Chinese people at the school, he was immediately the expert on anything and everything that had to do with China. (See post eight.) Not only that, but he was soon paired up with an American host family, something he looks back on as a very important part of his life. (See post nine.) Despite the warm welcome in Evansville, he decided he needed to move to a bigger place. (See post ten.) Upon graduating with a degree in Economics from Purdue University, however, Jason still had trouble finding a job. He was initially relieved to get a Research Fellowship at Toulouse School of Economics in France. (See post eleven.) The inefficiency of France drove him nuts. (See post twelve.) When his professor failed to grade an important exam, Jason realized he was in the wrong spot. (post thirteen.)

Jason decided to leave France rather than fight a losing battle with his professor. However,  he wasn’t sure what to do next. The hiring season was over, the school application season had passed. Through tireless research he discovered that Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong was hiring...

He applied, making it to the last round of interviews--the in-person ones. As Jason was in France, the HR person generously offered to have him conduct these through a conference call. But he didn’t want to take any chances.

“I was so eager to get out, I flew myself over. I flew to Hong Kong for two days, had the job interview, got an offer, flew back to Paris and packed up everything and relocated to Hong Kong.“

Jason worked for Standard Chartered Bank for two years, then decided that in order to move up in the business world he needed an MBA. He once again applied to all his first-choice schools: Stanford, Harvard, Yale.

  The third time was the charm. Stanford sent him an acceptance.

(To be continued. Next: Jason Leads Stanford Students Through Dynamic China.)

Unfair Turn Changes Life For the Better

Recent Stanford MBA Grad Jason Jianyu Tu was born in 1989 in a small village 125 miles south of Xian--in what he termed a "sixth-tier city," meaning, "There's a very slim chance you can be successful." (See post one.) His parents, well aware of this, searched for ways out of this small village, and eventually found a path to Xian. (See post two.) The big city of Xian--although only a hop, skip and a jump away--was like a different planet, with buses and fast food and a really tough school. (See post three.) Jason gave up trying to do well in school, instead focusing his energy where his passions lay: guitar and blockbuster movies. (See post four.) While Jason's high school headmaster did not have high hopes that Jason would get a college degree, Jason jumped through hoop after hoop to get accepted to the University of Washington. His only problem? Funding. (See post five.) Thanks, however, to a mass e-mail marketing campaign, Jason found himself accepted to the University of Evansville in Indiana. (See post six.) He was thrilled...until he landed in what felt was the middle of nowhere. (See post seven.) As Jason was one of two Chinese people at the school, he was immediately the expert on anything and everything that had to do with China. (See post eight.) Not only that, but he was soon paired up with an American host family, something he looks back on as a very important part of his life. (See post nine.) Despite the warm welcome in Evansville, he decided he needed to move to a bigger place. (See post ten.) Upon graduating with a degree in Economics from Purdue University, however, Jason still had trouble finding a job. He was initially relieved to get a Research Fellowship at Toulouse School of Economics in France. (See post eleven.) The inefficiency of France drove him nuts. (See post twelve.)

 “I always joke that French culture is all about making mistakes and correcting mistakes. One of these mistakes changed my life." 

After the first year, the Ph.D. students are required to take what’s called a Qualification Exam which ensures that you are prepared for your Ph.D. research.  Jason took the test and then went to join his girlfriend (now wife) for a holiday in Paris. 

While vacationing he received an e-mail from the school secretary saying that he had been dropped from the program.

“She said that one of the subjects I had to pass—econometrics, which is statistics, which was my major—I got 6/20. So, I immediately flew back and they allowed me to check my exam paper. I went into the professor’s office and checked my exam paper. Of the three pages of the exam paper, he had only graded one page. He forgot to grade the other two. 

“He said, ‘No worries. I’m going to change that for you.’ Typical French answer.

“One week after, he still hasn’t corrected it.  Two weeks, still I haven’t heard back. So I e-mailed, ‘Are you going to change the grade for me?’ He didn’t answer.

“So I went to his office. He said, ‘I said I’d change it for you. I’ll change it for you. I’m just busy.’

“One month later, he still hasn’t changed it.

“So I copied everyone in the department and sent out an e-mail saying that he made a mistake and after a month he still hasn’t changed it. Looking back that was really stupid.

“Academia is a different institution. Authority is based on whether you publish papers and are tenured. This tenured professor wrote back to everyone, ‘It’s not that I don’t want to change Jason’s grade. It’s that he only submitted one page.’

“Because he was super-prestigious in academia, you can’t fight with him or anything. The more I talk about it with others, the more I make myself sound like a whining kid.
“That night I was lying in bed trying to figure out what to do and I heard tap water running. I followed the sound and saw a bunch of drunk French men peeing against my apartment. When French people get drunk they do all kinds of stupid things. All of a sudden everything was clear in my mind, and I was glad that this happened to me. If this hadn’t happened to me I would have gotten stuck in a place that was smaller than me.”

(To be continued. Next: Stanford--The Third Time's the Charm.)

France Feels Like China...the Bad Parts.

Recent Stanford MBA Grad Jason Jianyu Tu was born in 1989 in a small village 125 miles south of Xian--in what he termed a "sixth-tier city," meaning, "There's a very slim chance you can be successful." (See post one.) His parents, well aware of this, searched for ways out of this small village, and eventually found a path to Xian. (See post two.) The big city of Xian--although only a hop, skip and a jump away--was like a different planet, with buses and fast food and a really tough school. (See post three.) Jason gave up trying to do well in school, instead focusing his energy where his passions lay: guitar and blockbuster movies. (See post four.) While Jason's high school headmaster did not have high hopes that Jason would get a college degree, Jason jumped through hoop after hoop to get accepted to the University of Washington. His only problem? Funding. (See post five.) Thanks, however, to a mass e-mail marketing campaign, Jason found himself accepted to the University of Evansville in Indiana. (See post six.) He was thrilled...until he landed in what felt was the middle of nowhere. (See post seven.) As Jason was one of two Chinese people at the school, he was immediately the expert on anything and everything that had to do with China. (See post eight.) Not only that, but he was soon paired up with an American host family, something he looks back on as a very important part of his life. (See post nine.) Despite the warm welcome in Evansville, he decided he needed to move to a bigger place. (See post ten.) Upon graduating with a degree in Economics from Purdue University, however, Jason still had trouble finding a job. He was initially relieved to get a Research Fellowship at Toulouse School of Economics in France. (See post eleven.)

Jason didn't adapt as well to France as he had America.  When he first arrived, he was in need of directions to a certain train.

Gare Du Nord Train Station

He asked a nearby policeman in English. The policeman responded in French--more French than Jason understood at the time. So, Jason started to walk away. But the policeman called him back, telling him in perfect English--not the necessary directions--but, "You come to my country, you speak my language."

While Jason went to night school to learn the language, he discovered that was not the only barrier. France reminded Jason too much of China—the bad parts of China.
“French people are even more arrogant than Chinese people. Chinese people like to talk about history. China, in the past century, had been so poor, so fragmented, that people always looked up to something that happens abroad. When you go to Europe, although they also have a long history, they’re pretty satisfied with their current situation. They don’t look out to the United States or any country. French people think they’re the best.
“There’s no such thing as efficiency. France is a socialist country so they have really good health care. They offer you a green card—it’s literally a green color—so that whenever you go to the doctor or hospital you don’t have to pay anything."

"The school bought insurance for me. They told me I could get an insurance card at a local insurance company office. I went there, lined up at 11am. At 11:30 it was finally my turn, and the person closed the window. ‘I need to have lunch.’
"So I waited, waited, waited.
“Finally that person comes back. Halfway through processing the documents he said. ‘Hold on. I need to take a coffee and cigarette.’ 

"I waited for him to go out and come back. Finally, he finished all the documents and said, ‘You’ll receive the insurance card in a few weeks.’
“I waited several months. I didn’t receive it.”
In fact, Jason didn’t receive the card until he was getting ready to leave France--an exit that happened sooner than he anticipated.

(To be continued. Next: An Unfair TurnThat Changes Life For the Better) 

Graduation shock--Open Job Fairs, Closed Company Doors

Recent Stanford MBA Grad Jason Jianyu Tu was born in 1989 in a small village 125 miles south of Xian--in what he termed a "sixth-tier city," meaning, "There's a very slim chance you can be successful." (See post one.) His parents, well aware of this, searched for ways out of this small village, and eventually found a path to Xian. (See post two.) The big city of Xian--although only a hop, skip and a jump away--was like a different planet, with buses and fast food and a really tough school. (See post three.) Jason gave up trying to do well in school, instead focusing his energy where his passions lay: guitar and blockbuster movies. (See post four.) While Jason's high school headmaster did not have high hopes that Jason would get a college degree, Jason jumped through hoop after hoop to get accepted to the University of Washington. His only problem? Funding. (See post five.) Thanks, however, to a mass e-mail marketing campaign, Jason found himself accepted to the University of Evansville in Indiana. (See post six.) He was thrilled...until he landed in what felt was the middle of nowhere. (See post seven.) As Jason was one of two Chinese people at the school, he was immediately the expert on anything and everything that had to do with China. (See post eight.) Not only that, but he was soon paired up with an American host family, something he looks back on as a very important part of his life. (See post nine.) Despite the warm welcome in Evansville, he decided he needed to move to a bigger place. (See post ten.) 

Jason spent three years studying Economics. For, while his strict early Chinese education had made him want to give up on math, he thrived under the encouraging U.S. system. He discovered he loved solving mathematical problems. His last year at Purdue, 2011, he wrote a research paper with his professor that he was sure would guarantee him a job. 

“I went to a lot of job fairs on campus. The structure of the job fairs was such that I would get to the last round of the interview, and I could speak reasonably-good English, so they sometimes wouldn’t ask, ‘Are you international?’  (Remember, he had that Brooklyn accent from watching all those Blockbusters.)

“Sometimes I would get to the last round of an interview where they would ask me my social security, and then they would realize I’m international and say, ‘Oh our HR department will contact you for the other documents.’"

This politically polite method was frustrating--he'd be filled with such hope only to be dropped to the bottom of the mountain again. Ultimately, it was also a huge waste of his--everyone's--time. Jason didn't say these exact words, but I've seen it happen to my own relatives. I can vouch for the emotions.

“Being an international student, even coming from Purdue, I had no chance of getting a job. Work status is an obstacle. It costs money for the company to file documents.  If they offer you a job that another American can do they have to write a legal letter that says this person is special. Because of that, a lot of companies just don’t want to deal with the situation.

"There are very limited options if you want to stay in the United States. That’s why you see a lot of Chinese students in the U.S. are Ph.D. students, because they have no option in professional industry.”

Jason applied to the Ph.D. programs at the top schools: Stanford, Harvard, Yale. He didn’t receive any acceptances.  Fortunately, the Professor who he had co-written the research paper with got wind of all of these closed doors. He offered Jason a chance to study and do research at the Toulouse School of Economics in France.

“It’s a good school. They have a lot of mathematicians who win Nobel prizes. My supervisor won a Nobel prize. They offered a stipend. Problem solved.”

Well, not quite.

(To Be Continued. Next: France Reminds Jason of China...the Bad Parts.)

A Big Fish in A Big Pond

Recent Stanford MBA Grad Jason Jianyu Tu was born in 1989 in a small village 125 miles south of Xian--in what he termed a "sixth-tier city," meaning, "There's a very slim chance you can be successful." (See post one.) His parents, well aware of this, searched for ways out of this small village, and eventually found a path to Xian. (See post two.) The big city of Xian--although only a hop, skip and a jump away--was like a different planet, with buses and fast food and a really tough school. (See post three.) Jason gave up trying to do well in school, instead focusing his energy where his passions lay: guitar and blockbuster movies. (See post four.) While Jason's high school headmaster did not have high hopes that Jason would get a college degree, Jason jumped through hoop after hoop to get accepted to the University of Washington. His only problem? Funding. (See post five.) Thanks, however, to a mass e-mail marketing campaign, Jason found himself accepted to the University of Evansville in Indiana. (See post six.) He was thrilled...until he landed in what felt was the middle of nowhere. (See post seven.) As Jason was one of two Chinese people at the school, he was immediately the expert on anything and everything that had to do with China. (See post eight.) Not only that, but he was soon paired up with an American host family, something he looks back on as a very important part of his life. (See post nine.)

Despite his new family, and the welcoming community of Evansville, Jason "realized that their pace of life was really slow." He knew that he would have to move on.  

"To be professionally successful I have to go to a bigger place. The life in China is surprisingly fast. You have no time to enjoy life, but just to work hard to achieve your goals.  So I didn’t forget my dream of going to a big college.”

Jason applied around—not too far away, as he wanted to be near his American host family. They were bummed by his new plans...as was the school administration.

“People in Evansville really didn’t want me to go. Seriously, I was one of the only two Chinese people there.”

"The head of the International Office came to me and said, ‘You can either be a big fish in a small pond or small fish in a big pond.’ 

"I said that analogy didn’t work for me at all. ‘I want to be a big fish in a big pond.’"

While there was lots of pressure for Jason to stay put, he did receive some support. 

"One of the Malaysian ladies in the International Office said to him one day, 'Jason, you really don’t belong here. You should go to bigger places.'" 

Sophomore year, Jason transferred to Purdue.

A Big Fish in a Big Pond: At Purdue

“It’s kind of sad when you think about it.  The thing that drives you to go to these places also drives the family apart.”

(To be continued. Next: Graduation shock--Open Job Fairs, Closed Company Doors.)