Tale of two generations: A US family's bridge with China through time and culture

She recalls evenings watching historical Chinese dramas and films with her parents as a child. "I didn't understand much Chinese back then, but the stories and historical settings captivated me," she says. Her parents also encouraged her to learn Mandarin and stay connected to her Chinese friends.

This upbringing ignited Urbonya's curiosity about her Chinese roots, eventually leading her back to the country.

"I wanted to experience China through my own eyes," she says, fluent in Mandarin. "My parents taught me to embrace curiosity and cultural exchange and I hoped to carry that legacy forward."

By the time Urbonya arrived in Beijing during high school and later in college to major in Chinese dance, the country was undergoing a revival of ancient traditions, with younger generations embracing its cultural heritage in modern ways.

From the growing popularity of hanfu to a resurging interest in classical Chinese arts like calligraphy and poetry, the revival provided her with the perfect backdrop to deepen her connection to China.

Over the years, her passion for hanfu, classical poetry and calligraphy grew into a successful career. Today, she creates content on social media platforms, including TikTok, Bilibili and Xiaohongshu, showcasing different facets of Chinese culture to a global audience.

"Hanfu reflects China's rich history and craftsmanship," she says. "It's a way to connect with the past while inspiring the present."

Her father's creative spirit and her parents' philosophy of cultural exchanges inspire her current job. From blending traditional Chinese crafts into modern contexts to showcasing dialects and local markets, Urbonya continues to promote understanding between cultures.

"Their stories about living in China during the 1990s, when material life was less abundant but human connections were intense, resonate deeply with me," she says. "I see their values in everything I do.

"I want to use my experiences to build meaningful bridges," she says. "Through hanfu and other traditions, I've learned that embracing different cultures gives us all riches, both materially and mentally."