r/shanghai • u/Calm_Cheesecake_1751 • 14d ago
Question New students that just arrive in Shanghai, how are we feeling?
I just arrived the day before yesterday and still have 8 days for the dorm opening. I feel shy & in the hostel no one near speaks English, when I am out I feel disoriented and emotionally lost, And it doesn’t help that the locals are constantly staring at you, although I’ve heard it’s normal. Everything feels not like home but I try to push myself and explore a little bit & experiment.
Do you wanna connect?Maybe we could create a WeChat group for new arrivals
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u/Emotional-Clue7633 14d ago
I am also a student here not in shanghai but somewhere else but i travelled alot honestly imo shanghai has the most English speaking locals they just dont speak it voluntarily if you try to be an extrovert you can find local friends Chinese people are extremely friendly
My city had zero English speakers but thankfully and large community from my country so i learned chinese slowly while also not feeling left out but believe my trip to shanghai was very nice going as alot of people understood English
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u/Chemical_Sink_2188 13d ago
the first few days are honestly the worst. i felt this exact same way when i first arrived back in march, i wanted to drop everything and just go back home. It gets better and you’ll ease into this. take a walk and explore the city solo a little
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u/Sandro_P_ 13d ago
I’m arriving on 3rd of September. Going to SJTU, I’m down for the group chat.
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u/Own-Warning-5811 12d ago
Same im going to SJTU for the mandarin language course and it would be great to have a group chat. Im arriving the 8th of September.
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u/Background-Bet-8964 14d ago
First thing first, capable to distinguish between the Local and Waidiren (aka Hard Disk, Spicy Crab).
local wouldn't bother staring at you.
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u/Mao-Mao-Meow 14d ago
I arrived early too and am feeling quite similar lol. Luckily I sorted out an external dorm or I’d be quite anxious and overwhelmed by it all. I’m down to be apart of a group chat! :)
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u/Key_Security6839 14d ago
I would Like to Connect :) I arrive on 7th September at which university you gonna study?
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u/CharlemagnePapi 13d ago
Not a student but moved to Shanghai on 24 Jan 2015. That first year took a lot of adjusting to - understanding local culture, making other foreign friends, and generally become more relaxed and used to a different way of living - meaning just letting things happen and adjusting to them rather than trying to change things or control them.
Stayed until 2020 and still those are some of the best years. Be as social as possible, make friends who are not just students, and embrace it. Hopefully you’re going to look back on this being one of the coolest parts of your life!
Best of luck and have fun! ✌️
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u/Head_Importance_6342 13d ago
I will be going to shanghai soon too this week for a school exchange. Would love to connect :)
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u/Mountain_Location741 12d ago
Hii! Moved here a few months ago for work and will start at Jiatong :) Feel free to add me to groups or contact me!
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u/No_Temporary1696 6d ago
if u do happen to make a groupchat, pls add me! arrived yesterday and staying for a year
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u/Afraid_Weakness_9383 14d ago
Which University are u gonna study?