Shenzhen student finds his footing in Connecticut football

Michael Lai had never played American football before he arrived in the United States.

The Gilbert North High School kicker moved from Shenzhen, China, to Winsted in 2025 to attend school. He is now in his second season with the team. Lai described the sport as a man's game that he enjoys because of the physical contact. He said he loves the feeling of bringing an opponent to the ground.

Lai's parents, Shengquing and Fang Yang, selected an American education for their children. They worked with an agent and interviewed with schools online. Michael and his sister Sabrina were accepted to the Gilbert School. The siblings took a 16 hour flight from Hong Kong that fall. They moved into dormitories reserved for international students.

The Gilbert School serves both local public school students and private boarders. Most of the students are from the area. Josh Perez, the Director of Residential Life, noted that having his sister with him helped Lai adjust. Lai is 17 years old. He will turn 18 in late November. He is the oldest student in the dormitory. Perez said the other students look up to him.

The move from Shenzhen to Winsted represents a major change in scale. Shenzhen is a city of 18.2 million people. It serves as a technology hub. Winsted has a population of fewer than 8,000 people. It is a former mill town in the Berkshire Mountains. Lai acknowledged that he still wants more cities nearby. He also said the quiet environment allows him to relax and enjoy the morning sun.

Lai has built a friendship with Dan Nolan, a tight end from Barkhamsted. Nolan plays for Northwestern Regional but has helped Lai learn football terminology. Lai has shared Chinese cooking with his teammates. Nolan said Lai made fried eggs with a special sauce that differed from local Chinese food.

Food remains a point of pride for Lai. He said American Chinese food does not match the food in Shenzhen. He discovered a restaurant and market in West Hartford that serve authentic Sichuan food. His first trip there by Uber cost $40 one way. He has since traveled with Perez. Perez said international students are often very proud of their home cuisine.

Coach Scott Salius has coached at Gilbert since 2008. He said Lai is not his first Chinese player. He noted that these students often adapt well to the game. Salius said Lai had never watched a football game when he arrived last year. Lai played JV last year due to transfer rules. He has kicked the ball into the end zone during those games.

Lai is a senior this year. He plans to attend an American university and study physical therapy. He and his sister return home for Christmas and summer breaks. His mother visited for Thanksgiving last year and plans to return this year. The family communicates via FaceTime a couple of times a week. Lai said he gave up his friends in China to build a new life here.

The team practices six days a week. In China, teams practice twice a week. Lai said he has no regrets about the schedule. He described his team as a small, close knit group. He called his new environment fun because he is an extroverted person who likes to make friends.