Thirty Years in America

Thirty years?ago?yesterday, February 16, 1994, I arrived at San Francisco International Airport alone with two suitcases, visibly much larger compared to my 6’2’’ and 120-pound slender figure. Looking at the “foreigners” at the airport, it hit me all of a sudden that I was now the foreigner and I had to start everything from scratch.??

My ride did not arrive on time, so I was forced to use the payphone – 50 cents later, I was connected with my aunt, and I was almost in tears because I just “squandered” precious 5 RMB (according to the then black-market exchange rate of RMB and USD) and I must conserve every single penny to afford my first term tuition. Every immigrant to U.S. and Canada would have stories like that to share – whether they involve tears, joy or both, these are memorable moments in our documentary of life and growth on a foreign land far far away.?

I consider myself über fortunate since I set foot on America.?

With God’s blessing, I was baptized in August 1994 at Chinese for Christ Berkeley Church. And three Minnesota families have taken me in as their adopted “son”, the Williams, the Jacksons, and the Salomonsen-Petersons; and they have made both Bemidji and the Twin Cities home away from home to me forever.??

Bemidji State University , my?alma mater?has equipped me with technical skills that set a solid foundation for my career today; moreover, the professors and the University staff there have taught me about how to be a kind and giving person that is useful to the society.?

My first job at TCF Bank opened my eyes to the world of banking and financial services. It was followed by thirteen memorable years and five different offices with 德勤 , serving clients in the States and around the globe.??Then I had the opportunity to join one of the best banks in the world, the Toronto-Dominion Bank ( TD ) on October 4, 2010 – I appreciate each and every role I have had in the past fourteen years with the Bank – they have made me a better finance professional with integrity and character.??

Each of the organizations I have been privileged to be a part of during my academic and working career in the United States and Canada is a leader in promoting and advancing diversity. Each of them has given me, this foreign kid from Shanghai, China equal opportunity to complete, to excel and to advance; and each of them has also encouraged me to carry on the tradition and to pay it forward.?

No matter where I am going to be next, the Pine Trees at BSU, Deloitte’s green dot, and TD Green and its WOW culture are engrained in my DNA that constantly remind me to always be a good person first.?

I am also grateful that I have great parents who are in their 80s. They were never “tiger” mom and dad that put their son’s academic achievement as their top priority. They always encouraged me to explore and try new things, including coming to the States for college.??They also made every sacrifice possible to support me financially and mentally during my early years in the U.S.??In my next life, I still want to be your son, Mom and Dad!?

Of course, I save the best for last???, that is, I want to thank myself for these thirty years. I have worked my butt off, and I am more than one?hundred percent?satisfied that I have turned in my test with best possible efforts and results.?

If someone asks me whether I would do it again, coming to the U.S. alone at the tender age of nineteen, the answer is a resounding “Yes”.?

A sincere “thank you” to my families, friends and colleagues that have extended a hand to me in school, at work and in life – every kind act of yours is a little light in my life, even if it is a simple text with a few encouraging words. I am the luckiest man, and you are the reason why!?