居住在北京，你最喜欢的是什么？

当我第一次在北京机场走出飞机的时候，我不知道在中国该期望什么。令我感到非常惊讶的一件事是，虽然有多少本地人居住在北京，这个城市还是非常多元化的。来自各行各业的人遍及整个城市。此外，品种繁多的美食一直在吸引着我。作为一个渴望成为美食家的人，我喜欢的是某一晚上我可以在一家中国餐馆吃饭，第二天晚上可以尽情享受日本或者蒙古美食。另外我喜欢的是我离不同的旅游景点都很近。乘公共汽车去长城仅仅需要45分钟，去上海也只不过是简单的火车旅行。我很高兴欣赏丰富多彩的中国文化。

在面谈窗口你如何努力与申请人建立一种融洽和谐的关系？

面谈过程中，我们尽力传递坦诚与友善，甚至当我们特别忙的时候，为了给申请人提供方便我们仍在尽我们所能地使申请过程进行得快一些。通常我们正在审理的一些申请人可能以前从没遇见过美国人，因此做到彬彬有礼、恭敬对待每一位申请人非常重要，即便申请人的签证没有得到批准。整个面谈过程中，我们尽力使问题更贴近申请人的具体情况，在恰当的时候，我们还充当快捷的信息资源提供者，为申请人介绍有关美国的情况。我可能会问：“你在美国停留期间计划参观哪些地方？”有时，我们也会告诉申请人有关那个地区游览胜地的信息，使得他们在美停留期间可以更多地了解我们的国家和文化。

工作中，你觉得最有意义或者最满意的事情是什么？

随着每次面谈，每一位来到我窗口的申请人，他们带来的都是一段有关其人生的故事。一直以来，这些申请人为3分钟的面谈足足准备了好几周甚至好几个月。最令人满意的是当我告诉一个已经学了很长时间英语的大学生，他/她被批准了签证。从个人角度上讲，这个工作令我遇见许多人，了解更多有关他们的故事，例如他们从哪里来以及他们的人生规划。能够告诉一个符合签证条件的人，他/她被准许去美国，这是一件很有益的事情，否则申请人从来不会有这样的机会。到目前为止，这方面对我来说是最满意的。   

What do you enjoy the most about living in Beijing?

When I first stepped off the airplane at the Beijing Airport, I had no idea what to expect in China. One thing that has really surprised me is, despite how many natives live Beijing, the city is very diverse. People from all walks of life can be found throughout the city. In addition, the wide variety of food here has been really appealing to me. Being an aspiring foodie, I love the fact that I can dine at a Chinese restaurant one night and then the next night indulge in Japanese or Mongolian cuisine. I also like the fact that I am very close to so many different tourist attractions. The Great Wall is a forty five minute bus ride away while Shanghai is a simple train ride. It has been great to enjoy the cultural richness of China.

How do you try and establish a rapport with applicants at the window?

During our interviews, we try to convey openness and friendliness, even as we are extremely busy and trying to get folks in and out as quickly as we can for their convenience. Often times, the applicants, whom we are adjudicating, may never have met an American before, so it is important to be courteous and respectful to each and every applicant, even if an applicant is not issued a visa. Throughout the interviews, I try to make the questions personal and, when relevant, try to serve as a quick resource for all that the States may have to offer in their situation. I may ask the question: “So, what places do you intend to visit during your stay in the States?” Occasionally, I will inform applicants of great tourist sites in the area so they can learn more about our country and culture during their stay.

What do you find most meaningful or satisfying about your work?

Along with every interview and every applicant who approaches my window, there comes with them a story about their lives. Almost all the time, these people have taken many weeks or even months to prepare for a three-minute interview, so it is very satisfying when I am able to tell a college student, who has studied English for a long time, that he or she is qualified for a U.S. visa. This job has allowed me to meet people on a personal level and learn a lot about their stories, where they have come from, and what they want to do with their lives. It is rewarding to be able to tell an eligible person that he or she is allowed to go to the States, when otherwise the applicant would have never had the opportunity. That aspect has by far been the most satisfying for me.