Instead, he devotes much of his energy to church activities.

"Most people in computer science really get into it, [but] most of my free time is not compute science but AABS."

AABS is part of the Harvard-Radcliffe Christian Fellowship [CF]. Chen is on the CF technical crew, and helps to lead a Mather/Leverett/Dunster small group Bible study.

This summer, he is planning to teach in Taipei, Taiwan with "Love Asia," a Christian missionary program.

"My favorite thing here is not my academics, but a lot of stuff with fellowship," he says. "I've learned so much about how to interact with people, and about caring for people. It's been one of the best things about being here."

His friends say caring is one of his best attributes.

"He listens attentively to everything you say," says Elizabeth S. Dinonno '95. "I talk to him, he responds, and I know he's listened."

After some prodding, Chen admits that he has a talent for communicating with others.

"Interpersonal skills are part of my strong points," he says. "I really enjoy talking to people about the hard questions of life and sharing about my faith. It's what really gives me the most joy."

Chen was not raised Christian; his parents are both Buddhists. "My parents look the other way," he says of his faith "It makes it hard."

But his brother, fellow Quincy House resident Richard L. Chen '95, became a Christian. And then Jack did too.

Jack recalls that when he was "eight or nine," he lived in Taiwan, learning English from an American missionary who introduced him to Christianity.

But Chen didn't practice the religion fully until his first year at Harvard.

He says that he has been learning a lot more about his faith through CF and AABS. "I've totally gotten into it," he says.

Two Brothers