A pair of smiles will be missed as J1 exchange visitors Gent Zhong Jian Huang and Caspian Shuirong Fan completed their summer of service at NJ’s Grocery.
“The experience is everything for me. That’s why I find three jobs.
I want to experience everything, because here is America. Everything for me is fresh, and I do something different every day. Whether it’s some drink or ice cream. Everything’s different. I spend a lot of money here every day. I can’t walk into the grocery store,” Gent said.
The 21-year-olds are now off for leisure before returning to their home country of China. Gent is heading to New York City and Caspian is traveling west to see Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.
“Working here, made my whole summer. That was really wonderful. I never thought that this would be such a nice place, and I would have a nice time here. I worked every day, but I don’t feel like I’m tired, because they are just so nice to me. And the hospitality along with it,” Caspian said.
Caspian is excited to connect with other J1 friends in Colorado, and Gent is heading to the Big Apple with a goal of seeing the Statue of Liberty.
That’s the first time both of them explored outside of their respected country and provinces.
Gent is from the Jiangxi Province in southeast-central China. Caspian hails Guangdong Province, which is a coastal province in South China. Both are college students in China and are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives just like any other young adult.
It’s safe to say, they both have the travel bug now.
Gent worked the cash register and Caspian managed cooking in the back at NJ’s, along with working at Fiddleheads and Leelanau Steakhouse.
Both Gent and Caspian admit there’s a big difference on the culture and environment from China to the United States, but at the end of the day, humans are humans.
Both Gent and Caspian had to find an agency to connect with a sponsor and help find a job, while arranging visa documentation to land a job stateside.
Caspian spent his time in the kitchen, cutting all of the vegetables, and helping cook Rosie’s famous Indian food.
“The people are pretty nice, even hilarious. I’m talking with them everyday, having fun with them and we are both making each other laugh ... I treat it like a compliment,” Caspian said. “I learn from (Rosie). I learned a lot of ingredients them because Rosie kept teaching me.”
Both Caspian and Gent believe this experience has helped them become more openminded.
“When I get here, I feel like the people are accepting of each other, accepting the people around you,” Caspian said. “If you’re nice to other people, then maybe they would treat you back in the same way.”
Gent loves to hike and is looking forward to getting out and capturing true Leelanau beauty with a few days break before heading to New York City.
J1 workers are a crucial backbone to the Leelanau economy and without them, most of the restaurant, and stores would be running on even thinner staffs than what they have now.
