Family comes first.

This is a concept many of us were taught as we were growing up, but to a Chinese person, those three words have a deeper meaning.

“Family is very important in the Chinese culture. Almost all Chinese kids are told they have to look after their parents as they grow older. And it’s not just immediate family. We refer to our cousins as brothers and sisters. It’s all very close — united,” sophomore Andy Lieu said.

One of the most important celebrations in his heritage is Chinese New Year’s and obviously, it involves family.

“We decorate the house with paper cut outs and paintings. On New Year’s Eve, we have a giant dinner called a reunion dinner. It’s very important and everyone tries their hardest to attend,” Lieu said.

An array of authentic Chinese dishes is served. Ranging from dumplings and sweet rice balls to glutinous rice balls and spring rolls, each food is eaten for its symbolism of prosperity and good fortune. Afterwards, kids receive red envelopes filled with money. Red is believed to have been a lucky colour and money is believed to bring good luck. This is often called lucky money.

“On the third day of the New Year we go and visit the graves of our loved ones,” Lieu said.

Family isn’t the only important thing. Education is also made a main priority in the Chinese culture. In every Chinese family, education is strongly stressed to make sure the children are set for their future.

“Education is very important to not just my family, but to a majority of Chinese families. Back in China, education is very strict and there’s this big test that essentially determines your future. My parents both took it before they moved here and even though education is different in America, they still want me to succeed,” Lieu said.

This is what usually leads to the stereotypes that Asians are good at math.

“I’m always getting asked if I know a certain math problem or something like and they usually start off with ‘you’re Asian, do you know what this mean?’ I honestly don’t take offense to that. I take it as a compliment,” Lieu said, laughing.

Lieu, who has visited China twice, says it’s very different from the United States.

“My family is from Shandong and it’s a very populated city compared to any city in the United States. The streets are almost always crowded and during the nighttime, the entire city is light up and it’s really cool,” Lieu said.

“I love being Chinese and American because I get to experience two different cultures. It’s like being part of a whole new world because my family has adapted to American culture,” Lieu said, “but still stayed true to their Chinese roots.”