To his family and friends in Prospect, Pennsylvania, Justin Flinner is known as just plain Justin.

But in Nanjing, China, he is known as Fu Jie.

That's his Chinese name while he is studying at Nanjing University as an international student from Slippery Rock University.

While in China, he is studying the Mandarin language as a general advanced student in the Chinese program.

But being in China is affording Flinner another opportunity.

He gets a chance to further his study of Chinese wushu, commonly known in the United States as kung fu, and all its disciplines.

He is also taking on the culture of a foreign land.

"Life in China is certainly a lot different than in America," Flinner wrote in an interview conducted over the Internet. "… When I travel around the city, to scenic places, or even just (to) hang out in front of the dormitory, people always stare. It did not take long for me to get used to it, although I have to be careful sometimes. Being a foreigner here, and American at that, I am a direct target for Chinese people here."

But Flinner isn't too concerned about his presence in China. In fact, he has grown to love it.

And why not? China is where martial arts were born and it is where the Slippery Rock High School graduate can delve even deeper into his craft.

Flinner, 23, recently won the U.S. Wushu Union National Chinese Martial Arts Championship at the University of Las Vegas. There, he competed in eight events and claimed the top spot in the men's internal adult division.

There were 160 competitors in his division.

"This was the biggest competition that I have ever won," Flinner wrote.

Wushu literally means "martial arts" and it consists of hundreds of styles, such as tai chi, tai ji quan (extreme ultimate boxing) and ying zhao quan (eagle claw boxing).

He is also a member of the U.S. Wushu National Team.

A wushu competition is all about form, and Flinner, with his slender build and contortionist-like body movements, has flourished in many of the wushu styles.

"I love all the styles in wushu," Flinner wrote. "Although, particular styles fit my body type better. But, overall, I love the application aspect of the art because what use are the movements if you don't know what they are used for? It's like a chef that enjoys cooking, but does not know why he or she uses particular ingredients or how these ingredients enhance flavors."

Flinner was introduced to wushu during his freshman year at Slippery Rock University.

Flinner, who is a senior majoring in exercise science at SRU in addition to his Chinese language studies, immediately took a liking to the martial arts.

"It was love at first sight," Flinner wrote. "I have always enjoyed challenges, but this challenge was unique in a way that you

have

to believe and trust in yourself or there is no way that you can succeed."

Flinner also has a love of the Chinese language, which certainly has helped him in Nanjing.

Flinner took Chinese classes at SRU for three semesters until no more classes in the language were offered.

He advanced in the language to the point where he began to teach it.

"The only reason I wanted to learn Chinese was because of my fascination with Chinese Wushu and Chinese culture as well."

Flinner has adapted to China quickly. In fact, he has fit right in.

Each morning, he awakens and makes his way to a track adjacent to his dorm. There, he finds many Chinese students exercising.

He joins them.

"I awoke one morning at 6:30 a.m. to practice wushu at the university track," Flinner wrote, "When I arrived at the track, it was absolutely packed with people exercising. People doing tai ji, people running, playing basketball, and many other forms of exercise. This is something that would

never

be seen in America."

Flinner has been able to make friends fast. He wrote about meeting between 10 and 15 people he considers friends over a two-day period.

"I feel that, physical features and language skills aside, I have almost become Chinese, in a manner of speaking," he wrote.

Flinner doesn't plan to stop his study of wushu any time soon.

In fact, he believes it is something he will do for the rest of his life.

As far as his other future goals go, that is still up in the air, although wushu, exercise science and even the piano and writing music are things he plans to continue exploring.

"You could say I am the Jack of all trades and master of none," Flinner wrote, "but I would like to be the first to say, someday, that I am the Jack of all trades and a master of one...

"I can set the course, but I cannot set the destination."