By Teresa Wing Sum Tse
I’m Teresa and I’m from Hong Kong. I arrived in Vancouver when there was a round of immigration from Hong Kong to Canada, which is still ongoing. I wrote this piece (below) when I was in the first meeting of the Creative Writing Club. This piece is called “Where I am from”. It talks about my personal experiences and some ideas about immigration.
Growing up in Hong Kong, most of the people live in a small apartment, compared to Canada. Though Hong Kong is a tiny place, we have one of the strongest economies in the world. Hong Kong has an interesting history. We have the privilege to learn three languages because of the colonization by the British back to the last century. We speak Cantonese, English, and Mandarin, especially the younger generations.
As we became officially a part of China in 1997, there is always an identity crisis. While in the ’90s there was huge immigration to Canada, Hong Kong is actually the place with the largest Canadian population overseas. People come and go while we struggle to have our “home” and to know where we are from. This poem not only talks about me, but also about the feelings of HongKongers. If you are someone who is eager to find their roots and struggling to find a sense of belonging, I hope you can get some warmth from here.
Where I am from
I’m from Hong Kong, New Territories
the region that people think we ride cows
I’m from 600-, 100-, 400-, 150-, 300- ft apartments
playing barbies and cars with my brother
I’m from an English book in kindergarten
learning the second language
even I cannot speak proper 廣東話
I’m from a dirt, brown wood-made 2/4 violin
that has been used by my cousin
They said I am not a great learner
But I achieved the 8th grade when I’m 17
I’m from the determined mum
who raise me and believe in my talent
I’m from my family
with my little brother, sister and mother
they were evil
but the memories are wonderful
I’m from the locked door that never open again
I find myself beyond the door
My mother is a hero
She never gives up even the door’s shut tight
I’m in Vancouver, the city looks like Hong Kong
It is not Hong Kong, obviously
People said Canada is the new home
Where is, what is a real home
I’m running down the street
there is only real trees and rock
I am from here or there
The lovely cities in the world
I’m from the photo next to the drawer
When I went back to my Hong Kong apartment, 300-ft
The baby face I have
Three smiles in the photos
Mother, father, and myself
Has gone since we grown.
Teresa Wing Sum Tse wrote this poem at the first meeting that she attended in the Creative Writing Club at Columbia College. Follow Pancouver on X @PancouverMedia, Bluesky @pancouver.bsky.social, and Instagram @PancouverMedia.
