I was on campus when the first Chinese students arrived in my dorm around 1980. Two males and a female. They all wore Mao suits. One of the guys was thin and taller, the other guy and girl were shorter and heavier.
They were fully exposed to “Animal House” atmosphere of the time.
Within a few years the Chinese were moved into apartment style housing more segregated from the rest of the student population.
I lived next door to a large number of them during the late ‘80s. An English instructor said that she was a PLA captain.
We had a Chinese male student in our high school class in the mid ‘50’s.
What I can remember, I believe he had lived in Communist China, and escaped. Probably not just himself, but what do I know??!
I think school was hard for him, not knowing much English.
I do remember him smiling shyly now and again.
It did not seem he was being groomed at all to be a ‘plant’ or anything. He did nothing to draw attention to himself, and I think he had some enjoyable moments in school. Most likely when a teacher treated him fairly, and didn’t sluff him off. Ditto regarding any of us.
Wish now I knew more about him. I don’t even know where he lived, in our town on Long Island. But I didn’t know where most of my classmates lived.
Back then, starting after WWII, the Long Island potato and other farms were selling to real estate developers: witness Levittown.
Some years ago when I was back for a reunion, my high school town was occupied by many folks from India. I do not know what drew them there - probably relatives - but what drew the first arrivals??! So goes the ebb and flow of immigration. And the businesses the immigrants own.