Howard Yuan is a freshman from Beijing, China, where he attended Beijing Gung Ye Da Xue Fu Shu Zhong Xue (the high school attached to Beijing University of Technology).
Q: What’s your favorite American food?
A: Hamburgers, because I love the meat. It’s so juicy and flavorful.
Q: What is your favorite holiday celebration?
A: It would have to be Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). I love it because we eat tong yuen (sweet dessert soup with rice flour balls, similar to Italian gnocchi). Also, I receive hung bao (red envelopes filled with money) from all my relatives. Good food and money, what’s better?
Q: What’s your favorite TV show?
A: I love watching the NBA Championship games. Particularly I like the Miami Heat and Lebron James.
Q: What’s your favorite sport?
A: Basketball is where it’s at! I love watching and playing it, both here and in Beijing.
Q: Do you practice Kung Fu (the martial art of China)?
A: Oh gosh, no! Very few people do Kung Fu in China, and most of them are old.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
A: I want to be a doctor. I’m not sure if I want to be one in China or in America, but I know that I want to go into the medical field.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: I don’t have any pets in China, but I do want a dog. I want a big dog—a really, really big one.
Q: Do you have any siblings?
A: I have a little brother. His name is Yuan Dong. I miss my little brother. He is only 8 years old, and we play badminton together.
Q: When you’re not shooting hoops, playing badminton or studying, what do you like to do?
A: I like to play Defense of the Ancients, a very popular video game.
Q: Anything really challenging about your move to America?
A: History is my hardest class in America, because my English is not up to speed yet. Math and physics are my favorite (and easiest) classes.
Q: We’ve covered your American foods, what’s your favorite Chinese food?
A: I love shiu mai, which is interesting because it is Hong Kong dim sum cuisine and I am from the north. My other favorite is Coca Cola marinated chicken wings, because I love the meat and the flavor is savory and sweet at the same time.
