Steven and Jeremy Interview

If you go to the gym during high school lunch, you might get a glimpse of the basketball twins, one of them draining threes and the other hitting back to back to back jumpers. These ballers, Steven and Jeremy, joined the school this year and are still getting used to the atmosphere and people around. They arrived from D.C this summer, but are originally from North Carolina. I interviewed them recently to find out what they think about their transition and new home.

Q: “Steven and Jeremy, what are the biggest changes you both find coming into the largest country in the world?”

A (Steven): “Well for me culture, language, pollution and population. For culture, it is just much different lifestyles and things they think are acceptable here, are totally not acceptable where I come from. For example, they smoke in buildings, spit anywhere, and do their business wherever they are.”

A (Jeremy): “The main differences that I found here in China are probably the amount of people, the climate, and the culture. For example, when I first arrived at the airport here in China I was stunned at how hot and humid it felt. It didn’t matter where I looked, there were always lots of people. It was also alarming to see how people in China act so much different than they do in the U.S. Once when I was on the metro for the first time, it shocked me how they pushed and crammed their way onto the train when it was already crowded. In the U.S we like our personal space, so I was a little uneasy with how people were practically breathing all over me. When foreigners come in from another country there are always experiences which they could have never come across. Coming into China spiting on the streets could be something you have never seen before!”

Q: “Anything in China that you guys have never come across in the States?

A (Jeremy): “The first one is how people seem to do their business out in public places no matter where they are. This is something that I have never seen in the U.S. I’ve also been able to see how Chinese people play basketball different which has given me a better understanding of the international game. Even if I did it’s a total different thing from seeing it to playing it first hand which is what I’ve been able to do here.”

A (Steven): “Yeah, it would be nearly impossible to see so many Asians in one place or city. Of least not nearly as many, (China just is not as diverse as the U.S, so basically all you see is Asian Chinese people here),which really stands out. Not saying you don’t see Asians in the U.S there are plenty to be noticed it is just basically like 12+ million people of like the same race in one city is not something you would not see in the U.S. Asian or not, there are more people of other ethnicities in the U.S.”

Q: “It’s never easy moving from home. I’m sure you miss the balling in US, anything else you had trouble with here?”

A (Steven): “It has been a drastic change since I’ve gotten here but, I’m the type that tries to make the best out of the situation because if you’re going to have to do something then you might as well try hard and do it right. So I’m comfortable with the change but, honestly I’d prefer to go back to the U.S. I just don’t feel at home here and miss just about everything in the U.S. It’s not that I am uncomfortable, it’s just I don’t want the change. And yes I want to go back. Mainly because that is my home, I have so many fond memories, and miss friends and lifestyle. Especially basketball, I miss not being able to play a couple hours a day, that I really miss.”

Q: “Putting the sad memories aside, how do you like school? Any different then at home?”

A (Jeremy): “The school life is different when it comes to the schedule, and the work I feel like is more, and more challenging. [I’m surprised by] the different backgrounds of the students. The diversity is much greater here. I realize that’s because it’s an international school though.

Q: “I’ve seen you both playing great basketball. Why the interest in the ball and hoop?”

A (Steven): “I must say I am very obsessed with everything that has to do with basketball. It’s just something I’ve always loved to do since I was young. I think it might partly be because I grew up watching and playing basketball so then it just carried over with me. It’s funny, I love everything about basketball but I don’t even know why I first had an interest in it. Honestly […] I love the game and playing it and watching it, I guess you could say it picked me, I am so passionate about it, and want to be as good as I can so I practice so hard, and over time it pays off and the results are great when you get better. And while some days it is an off day, or a lot of hard work, I don’t mind it, I embrace it and see it as an opportunity to get better and test myself physically and mentally. I really enjoy the game, so I take it really serious, and almost am a totally different guy on the court then when off the court.”

Q: “Well you guys sure are lucky! We got varsity basketball starting really soon. You both planning on trying out?”

A (Steven): “Definitely. I have been in China for about 5 months now, and by my standards have gotten little to no court time practicing, so naturally I want to play as much as possible, and like I said earlier basketball is my passion and sometimes it might seem like more than a game to me. Also I am confident in my skills and abilities, so I will plan to try out for sure.”

A (Jeremy): “Yes, I fully intend to tryout for the boy’s varsity team and I plan on making it because I’m very confident in my ability to play and understand the game.”

It’s great to see how both brothers love the game to the heart. Maybe we’ll be seeing new guards on the team for APAC!