Jinjing "Coco" Wei came to the United States with an open mind and a resolve not to make any assumptions.
And yet, in the midst of her first year of American life, the 17-year-old St. Andrew’s Priory junior happily admits that life here has been surprising in all the best ways.
"Everyone is so friendly," Wei says. "I love the conditions — everything is so beautiful. And I’m very impressed with how people treat each other here."
Wei arrived in Hawaii from Dongguan, China, in July after carefully researching her best options for a smooth transition to an American education.
Wei had attended an international school in China and knew from early on that she wanted to pursue a Western education.
Priory matched Wei’s criteria for a religious school with a curriculum that embraces science and technology. That the school was located in Hawaii certainly did not hurt, either.
And so, Wei said goodbye-for-now to her parents and two young twin brothers and headed to Hawaii, eventually settling with a host family in Manoa.
Wei did not waste any time carving a space for herself at her new school. She joined the school’s International Culture Club and Interact Club, making friends, even developing a interest in weight training through her PE class.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Wei spends her after-school hours lifting weights with her host mother at the YMCA. On other days she takes walks around Manoa Valley, soaking up beauty that so many others fail to recognize and appreciate.
"The sunset is beautiful in the valley," she says. "I love to be outside to see it."
Indeed, Wei says she enjoys every opportunity for outdoor activities, whether walking, hiking or going to the beach. (She has yet make good on her secret dream of taking a Hawaii Duck Tour.)
Wei said she had to adjust her study habits to adapt to different academic standards and practices, but she welcomed the opportunity to understand better how to function in an American school.
She remains confident that her efforts will reflect well on her parents.
"I’ve always tried to do well in school and to keep it up as a habit," she says.
Wei will keep working through what promises to be an eventful year and a half more in high school. After that she intends to go to college on the mainland.
"Hawaii is a very special place," she says. "I want to know what else is out there."
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Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.
