Teresa Chien moved from Hong Kong to a small community in Saskatchewan in the 1970s. She was shocked at first by how isolated the community was compared to Hong Kong. She remembers telling friends that there were more people at campsites in Hong Kong than in her new home town. Her brother and parents convinced her to move to Thunder Bay. Her fiancé, Johnny, joined her here shortly after.

Teresa began a career in nursing in Thunder Bay. She wanted to make use of her strong science and mathematics background, and had considered a career in accounting, but opted for nursing as it would allow her more human contact.

Due to funding cuts, Teresa was laid-off from her full-time job as a nurse; but continues to work part time in her chosen field. She and her husband also run the Cumberland Restaurant, something she took over from her parents.

Teresa enjoys the interaction with her customers, some of whom have become friends over the years. She feels a great deal of support from the community in general and says that Thunder Bay is a good place to live, in spite of occasional experiences with discrimination. While the Chiens have found instances of discrimination or racism rare, it has occurred and is very frustrating for them.