Travel & Insights
6 Years in Shanghai: Thoughts
A post-graduation reflection.
When people ask about my academic career, it is inevitable for me to mention the city that has nurtured me for the past six years. Shanghai has undoubtedly become my second home and I am eager to return after the pandemic subsides.
For today’s post, I hope to share my impressions and thoughts of the city known as ‘The Pearl of Asia’, and bits of Chinese culture as well as some memorable experiences. Perhaps I may even rediscover fresh perspectives along the way.
Impressions of the City 🌆
I’ve always known that China is a communist country, but aside from the occasional glimpse of Chairman Mao statues, not once have I felt any inconvenience nor was my freedom caged. There are numerous stores with international brands dotted along the famous shopping district, East Nanjing Road, and almost everyone (especially youngsters) is dressed up to the nines. There are even annual Christmas markets, Oktoberfests, cultural bazaars and charity events held across Shanghai — it’s as if you’re living in a multicultural town, where east meets west! The most pleasant surprise for me was stumbling on various art and history museums.
Did you know that Shanghai became a safe haven for Jews during the Holocaust? There’s even a Shanghai Jewish Refugees museum not far from the main campus!
The Rise of a Digital Era 💻🌐
Looking back, so much has happened over the span of six years. Throughout my study, I’ve witnessed the rise of WeChat, Ecommerce, digital money and bike sharing. These changes took place so seamlessly, to the point where adaptation seemed effortless.
It was either the impeccable, clever designs or that everything’s as fast as a flick of a switch in Shanghai, and we just have to embrace them to survive…
To be fair, this has significantly influenced my lifestyle choices. For instance, I’ve lost the habit of bringing cash with me since I make payments using my phone via WeChat or Alipay apps, and rarely go out for window shopping (or shopping in general) as online shopping is not only cheaper, but a wider selection of things are present right at my fingertips. I’ve also become a big fan of food delivery, grabbing the rather frequent promotions and free delivery coupons as an excuse to indulge in a variety of delicacies. The best part of China’s food delivery system is they’re almost always on time — depending on the distance, your order may arrive at your doorstep as fast as 15 minutes!
Speaking of ease, Shanghai’s subway has to be the the epitome of convenience. I raved about the subway and bullet train so much when I visited home during the holidays, as we didn’t have those back then. Following the introduction of public bikes and their respective bike sharing apps, going around places became even more enjoyable.
Writing this just makes me miss living in Shanghai even more.💔
Weather & Culture ☔️🍚
When I think of Shanghai, the city’s volatile weather comes to mind. Winter in Shanghai has to be the most confusing season of all! This image is definitely not an exaggeration. You could be all wrapped up like a burrito on Monday, which is perfectly normal on a winter’s day, but end up wearing shorts with a light tee the next day. It rarely snows in Shanghai, but it rains quite a bit all year round, and oftentimes when you least expect it.
Growing up in a Chinese household, I didn’t face much cultural shock when I lived in China — except when I first heard the different dialects that existed — they sound so different, yet you can pretty much guess the gist of what they mean (provided that you have a decent command of Mandarin). It was quite the fascinating experience. There are over 80,000 Chinese characters, and I barely know 1%. Thankfully the street signs have English words on them, otherwise, I’d be a lost child.
I’ve always thought that I had my fair share of Chinese food back at home, but in reality, it was a far cry from what Shanghai has to offer. The street food is amazing (to be fair, even the cafeteria food was great); the best part is that Shanghai is famous for their juicy soup dumplings (known as Xiao long bao), which happens to be my favorite dim sum. Imagine my delight when the new cafeteria added that to the menu! I recall having soup dumplings for both lunch and dinner for a couple of days straight — it was that delicious! You may also find delicacies from other regions of China sold at stalls by the roadside: the people’s all-time-favorite crispy savory Jianbing breakfast pancake from Shandong province, mouthwatering Kao leng mian grilled cold noodles from the northern Heilongjiang province, thick and chewy Biangbiang mian belt noodles from the Shaanxi province, and the list goes on! 😋
People & Work Ethics 👥📜
Life in Shanghai is super-fast paced.
When the subway doors slide open, everyone is seemingly engaged in an invisible race: out-walking others to the nearest escalator. Funnily enough, the strongest ‘competitors’ are the grandmas and grandpas, who usually wrestle their way through. (To better illustrate, sneak a peek at the game, Fall Guys. Yeap, that’s Shanghai’s subway during rush hour.)
However, the near-perfect illusion that everyone is utterly busy with their lives, who couldn’t care less other than themselves, was broken every now and then by unexpected gestures of kindness.
This takes me back to an afternoon outside the ENT (Ears, Nose, Throat) hospital, where my stubborn phone had forsaken my umpteenth request to unlock a public bike. Sighing out of exasperation as the dark clouds loomed overhead, a kind stranger who seemed to have read my thoughts of distress, unlocked the bike for me without uttering a single word and walked away as quickly as he had appeared. I repeatedly thanked him in disbelief, raced back to campus, barely escaping the rain.
If not for that kind soul, I would’ve been thoroughly drenched.
I think one of the most interesting things I’ve noticed was the overwhelming response I receive when strangers (regardless of age and occupation) strike up conversations with me, only to find out that I’m a foreigner. They would beam from ear to ear, impressed at my rather mediocre command of the language. And upon finding out my ancestors were from China, warmly regarded me as one of their own. Another fascinating aspect was their greeting, “Hello. Have you eaten?” It was then I learned that fullness is equivalent to wellness, and that simple greeting carried a historical weight reflecting the Great Chinese Famine in 1960, as well as the old Chinese proverb, “To the common people, food is heaven.” By replying, “Yes, I’ve eaten,” they’re assured you’re feeling fine and doing well. 😌
Having worked under (and with) various mentors over the course of my undergrad years, I can confidently share that Chinese teachers appreciate students who go the extra mile, as they value hard work. Additionally, by being respectful to your elders, you’re more likely to receive thorough guidance from your mentors, since this is a key value in Chinese culture. Did I also mention that knowing the language gives you extra brownie points?
This brings to mind a very unexpected encounter during my internship year, where I was assigned to shadow a strict general surgeon who did not trust interns to do even the tiniest bit of scut work. After literally a whole day of tailing him around the wards like his own shadow, keenly jotting down notes into my blue little notebook and asking questions, (while getting quizzed in return), he finally called the “girl with the notebook” to assist him in patient care. What was more surprising is the fact that he reached out to me months after my internship had ended in that department, asking to edit his research manuscript and eventually, participate in one of his research projects.
To be honest, up to this day I’m still not entirely sure why he had reached out to me from the sea of students he has worked with. But, I believe one thing is for certain: Have a notebook ready when you go shadow a doctor. 😆
On a serious note, this quote by Firoz Thairinil sums up my encounter perfectly:
“Luck is a point where hard work meets opportunity.”
Reminiscing life in Shanghai and penning down my thoughts has been rather surreal, though I really hope this gives you a general overview of ‘The Paris of the East’ from the eyes of an undergrad.
Feel free to stick around for the next few posts where I’ll be sharing my thoughts on studying MBBS in China, as well as a list of apps that everyone should download before entering the ‘Middle Kingdom’.
Have a good one! 🍹
Love, Alice
P.S.: This walk-through video of the streets of Shanghai brings back so much memories! ❤️
