I am going to China for my undergraduate degree from the US

I am going to China for my undergraduate degree from the US and all of my family members are saying it is a communist country that will be a bad experience. Should I still go? 我要從美國去中國攻讀本科學位，我所有的家人都說這是一個共產主義國家，這將是一次糟糕的經歷。我還應該去嗎？ by Thomas Pauken II

B.A. from Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

BEIJING: I have lived and worked in Beijing, China since October 2010. I know what it’s like to be confronted by family and public criticisms.

Shortly after arriving in Beijing, I was still posting articles on the Dallas Blog, which is no longer in existence.

A reliable source forwarded me an article about the conspiracy theory radio show host Alex Jones and at the time, I was unfamiliar with him.

But I went ahead posted an article mocking him; and for the rest of the week, I was getting flooded with emails about how I’m a Chinese propagandist and for three days the radio shock jock kept criticizing me for being in China on his radio program.

For-the-record, I searched for the related articles and video postings from Google but could not find the links anymore.

Apparently, Alex Jones did not choose to make his rants against me a part of his permanent record.

Anyway, I stayed in China and do not regret my decision to remain here.

An American moving to China should get accustomed to the Communist jokes and if you are so super sensitive then you should reconsider your move here.

A person’s decision to move elsewhere demonstrates freedom for a child to enter into adulthood.

It’s common for some parents to show a little reluctance about their child leaving the home but they would come to terms with it and will accept your choice and responsibility.

Best to take the brave step or you will regret it. This could also be a once in a lifetime experience and you might never get a chance to visit China again.

So there would always be that nagging doubt if you didn’t study there.

I’m not suggesting all young adults go to China, but I am referencing those who have already been accepted to study in the country and if the Chinese campus is their top choice, they should go for it.

Your family and friends will likely joke that you are a Communist and I got the same treatment. But it’s you, not anyone else, who is running your life.

People should have the courage of their convictions to pursue their goals and chase after their lifelong ambitions.

China has become me and that’s who I am. When visiting the USA, I’m the ‘China Guy,’ and everywhere I go that’s how people introduce me to others. I’m fine with that since I like talking about China anyway.

Don’t feel ashamed over your life’s decision so long as you are doing good and become a productive member to our society. And China can be cool at times.

We can learn more about the exciting moments in China from the Global Times.