Andy Chan

Student

“When you think of LA, you think of Hollywood: everything’s gotta be gorgeous. Then you actually see Hollywood and, oh boy.”

Andy Chan is working hard on the English language. “We study English from kindergarten in Hong Kong. But on the one hand, you learn and on the other hand you forget,” he says with a laugh. “I’m studying English 1 now to learn how to do a research paper. And my teacher has a degree from UCLA English department. So this is going well for me.”

Andy says that speaking aloud in English is still a little intimidating just now. “I wish all my teachers would know I’m a little shy,” he says. “But I want very much to talk more.” He says that the International Student Center is helping him greatly to interact with people. “They give me all the information I need,” he says. “I suggest that everybody from Hong Kong who comes here get to know all the people from the other countries, not just the Chinese people. Other cultures help your eyes to see further,” he continues. “And you can practice your English together.”

It’s a long way from the bustling streets of Hong Kong that Andy has left to study electrical engineering. “My family has a meat shop there, and it’s hard to be separated from them. But they encourage me. They know it will be better for my future to study in the U.S.” Andy plans to transfer to UC San Diego and then try to work in engineering in America for a couple of years. “I’ll get much better skills if I work here for a while and then go home to Hong Kong. But that is some years to come,” he says. “For now, I think I’m getting the right direction at SMC. It’s a very creative place and teachers are so helpful. I think they guide me very well.” Andy’s goals—in engineering and in speaking English—are shaping up quite nicely.

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