Chick-fil-A's Role in Chinese Student Visa Culture
Recently, aChinesecomedyshowinnorthernVirginiafeaturedajokeaboutChick-fil-A.
最近，弗吉尼亞州北部的一個華人喜劇節目中出現了一個關於 Chick-fil-A 的笑話。
Theaudiencerespondedenthusiasticallywhenaskedabouttheirfavoritefood.
當被問及最喜歡的食物時，觀眾們都熱情地回應了。
Thehostlinkedthefast-foodchaintotheH-1BvisalotterythatmanyChinesestudentsseek.
主持人將這家快餐連鎖店與許多中國留學生夢寐以求的 H-1B 簽證抽籤聯繫起來。
ThisjokereflectsaculturalbeliefamongChinesestudentsthateatingatChick-fil-Acanbringgoodluckfortheirvisaapplications.
這個笑話反映了中國留學生的一種文化觀念，即在 Chick-fil-A 吃飯可以為他們的簽證申請帶來好運。
ThebrandispopularamongthesestudentsdespitehavingnostoresinChina.
儘管該品牌在中國沒有實體店，但它在這些學生中仍然很受歡迎。
Thename'Chick-fil-A'soundslike'checkfiles'inMandarin.
「Chick-fil-A」這個名字在普通話裡聽起來像「檢查文件」。
Thisphoneticsimilarityissignificantinaculturethatvaluessound-alikephrases.
這種語音上的相似性在重視發音相近的字詞的文化中意義重大。
Forsomestudents, eatingaChick-fil-Amealfeelslikeastepclosertoobtainingagreencard.
對一些學生來說，吃一頓 Chick-fil-A 餐感覺就像離獲得綠卡又更近了一步。
ZhouYilu, anAIengineer, sharedhisexperienceswithvisastrugglessincearrivinginthe U.S.
人工智慧工程師週義祿分享了他自來到美國以來在簽證方面遇到的困難。
Hehasswitchedbetweendifferenttypesofvisasandfacednumerouspaperworkrequirements.
他曾多次更換簽證類型，並面臨大量的文書工作要求。
TheassociationbetweenChick-fil-Aandgoodfortuneinvisaapplicationshasbeencirculatinginthecommunityforyears.
多年來，Chick-fil-A 與簽證申請好運之間的聯繫一直在社區流傳。
Somestudentsevenincorporatethechain’slogointotheirartorsocialmediaprofiles.
有些學生甚至將該連鎖店的標誌融入他們的藝術作品或社交媒體個人資料中。
ThereisnoofficialacknowledgmentfromChick-fil-Aregardingthisphenomenon.
Chick-fil-A 官方並未對此現像作出任何回應。
YoungChinesepeopleenjoywordplayandassociatedrituals.
中國年輕人喜歡玩文字遊戲和相關的儀式。
Forexample, theyeatapplesonChristmasEvebecausethewordforapplessoundslikethatforpeace.
例如，他們在聖誕夜吃蘋果，因為蘋果的發音與和平的發音相似。
Someevenchooselettucebouquetsforweddingssincethewordforlettuceimplieswealth.
有些人甚至選擇用生菜製作花束作為婚禮用花，因為「生菜」這個詞本身就帶有財富的象徵意義。
Thefearofthenumberfour, whichsoundslike'death,' alsoshowcasestheirwordplayculture.
對數字四的恐懼（四的發音與「死亡」相似）也體現了他們的文字遊戲文化。
ChallengeswithobtainingH-1Bvisashighlightthestrugglesofimmigrantswithlegalworkinthe U.S.
取得 H-1B 簽證的挑戰凸顯了移民在美國合法工作所面臨的困境。
In 2024, over 46,000 ChinesestudentsandworkersreceivedH-1Bvisas.
2024年，超過46,000名中國學生和工人獲得了H-1B簽證。
Despitethesignificantnumber, theprocessremainsdauntingandcompetitive.
儘管數量眾多，但這個過程仍然令人望而生畏，競爭也異常激烈。
FanWu, adatascientist, expressedfrustrationafternotwinninghisvisalotterydespitehisefforts.
資料科學家範武（音譯）在努力嘗試簽證抽籤卻未能中獎後，表達了他的沮喪之情。
Heturnedtovarioussuperstitionsforhelp, recognizingtheroleofchanceintheapplicationprocess.
他求助於各種迷信，因為他意識到運氣在申請過程中扮演重要角色。
SomestudentsevenseekoutagentswhoprayforthemattemplesinChina.
有些學生甚至會找代理人到中國的寺廟為他們祈禱。
MengYanqing, anagent, offersprayersforpeoplewishingforH-1Bvisas.
經紀人孟艷青為希望獲得 H-1B 簽證的人祈禱。
Hecarefullyrecordstheirpersonaldetailstoensuretheprayersarespecific.
他會仔細記錄他們的個人訊息，以確保祈禱內容具體明確。
Hisservicesincludepurchasingblesseditemsandsendingthemtothe U.S.
他的服務包括購買祝福過的物品並寄往美國。
Changesin U.S. immigration policies, likeheftyfeesforH-1Bvisas, havecausedadditionalanxiety.
美國移民政策的變化，例如 H-1B 簽證的高額費用，引發了更多焦慮。
ExpertsnotethattheH-1Bvisasystemattractstalentedinternationalworkers, benefitingthe U.S.
專家指出，H-1B簽證制度吸引了優秀的國際人才，使美國受益。
However, suspiciousattitudestowardsChineseimmigrantscomplicatetheirpursuitofopportunities.
然而，人們對中國移民的懷疑態度使他們尋求機會變得更加複雜。
Manyfindithardtonavigatetheirvisasituationsduetoworkplacecultures.
由於工作場所文化的影響，許多人發現很難處理簽證問題。
Forinstance, ayoungmanagerfinallyembracedtheChick-fil-Alogoafterextensivewaiting.
例如，一位年輕的經理在經過長時間的等待後，最終接受了 Chick-fil-A 的標誌。
ThecompetitionforH-1Bvisasisdaunting, particularlyforSTEMgraduates.
H-1B簽證的競爭非常激烈，尤其是對於STEM專業的畢業生。
Aftercompletingtheirstudies, thesegraduatesturntoChick-fil-Ainhopesofextendingtheirstay.
這些畢業生完成學業後，都希望透過 Chick-fil-A 延長他們的停留時間。
HarrietPeng, wholostthelotterymultipletimes, tookherprayerstoatemple.
多次彩券落榜的彭麗媛（Harriet Peng）到寺廟祈禱。
Shehumorouslynotedthatthereisn’tagodofvisas, butsheprayedtovariousdeitiesanyway.
她幽默地指出，簽證之神並不存在，但她還是向各種神祈禱。
Recently, a Chinese comedy show in northern Virginia featured a joke about Chick-fil-A.
The audience responded enthusiastically when asked about their favorite food.
The host linked the fast-food chain to the H-1B visa lottery that many Chinese students seek.
This joke reflects a cultural belief among Chinese students that eating at Chick-fil-A can bring good luck for their visa applications.
The brand is popular among these students despite having no stores in China.
The name 'Chick-fil-A' sounds like 'check files' in Mandarin.
This phonetic similarity is significant in a culture that values sound-alike phrases.
For some students, eating a Chick-fil-A meal feels like a step closer to obtaining a green card.
Zhou Yilu, an AI engineer, shared his experiences with visa struggles since arriving in the U.S.
He has switched between different types of visas and faced numerous paperwork requirements.
The association between Chick-fil-A and good fortune in visa applications has been circulating in the community for years.
Some students even incorporate the chain’s logo into their art or social media profiles.
There is no official acknowledgment from Chick-fil-A regarding this phenomenon.
Young Chinese people enjoy wordplay and associated rituals.
For example, they eat apples on Christmas Eve because the word for apples sounds like that for peace.
Some even choose lettuce bouquets for weddings since the word for lettuce implies wealth.
The fear of the number four, which sounds like 'death,' also showcases their wordplay culture.
Challenges with obtaining H-1B visas highlight the struggles of immigrants with legal work in the U.S.
In 2024, over 46,000 Chinese students and workers received H-1B visas.
Despite the significant number, the process remains daunting and competitive.
Fan Wu, a data scientist, expressed frustration after not winning his visa lottery despite his efforts.
He turned to various superstitions for help, recognizing the role of chance in the application process.
Some students even seek out agents who pray for them at temples in China.
Meng Yanqing, an agent, offers prayers for people wishing for H-1B visas.
He carefully records their personal details to ensure the prayers are specific.
His services include purchasing blessed items and sending them to the U.S.
Changes in U.S. immigration policies, like hefty fees for H-1B visas, have caused additional anxiety.
Experts note that the H-1B visa system attracts talented international workers, benefiting the U.S.
However, suspicious attitudes towards Chinese immigrants complicate their pursuit of opportunities.
Many find it hard to navigate their visa situations due to workplace cultures.
For instance, a young manager finally embraced the Chick-fil-A logo after extensive waiting.
The competition for H-1B visas is daunting, particularly for STEM graduates.
After completing their studies, these graduates turn to Chick-fil-A in hopes of extending their stay.
Harriet Peng, who lost the lottery multiple times, took her prayers to a temple.
She humorously noted that there isn’t a god of visas, but she prayed to various deities anyway.
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