Eileen Gu became a Chinese citizen because she wanted to be closer to her roots. She was born in China and moved to the United States when she was five years old. Her parents are originally from Guangzhou, China.
Gu said that she always felt a connection to China, even though she grew up in the U.S. She would visit her grandparents in Guangzhou every summer and kept in touch with her extended family there. After finishing college, she decided to move back to China permanently.
I just feel like this is where I belong, she said. My heart is here.
Gu has been living in Beijing for four years now and works as a freelance writer and editor. She loves being able to speak Mandarin fluently and feels more connected to Chinese culture than ever before.