My semester in Shanghai! & why you should too🇨🇳❤️🔥😮💨
NUS SEP application is opening soon so I’m hoping to convince you to choose China! I think I’m the best person to say this because China was honestly my last last choice but I ended up loving it so much I’m now a passionate advocate 🤫
1. Travelling!!!
Okok unlike Europe, you can only city hop internally but with the high speed train anywhere was quite possible for weekend or even day trips. And every city’s experience was so cool and different that I truly wishedddd I travelled around more. (my personal fav was Chongqing!) ALSO train prices is soooo affordable and super convenient (a few stations located in 1 city)
2. DELIVERY
GRAB WHO??? meituan was freaking superior. wanted pimple patches at 11pm? i got it for $5 including delivery free GRAB COULD NEVER. i never went hungry & ordering delivery was way cheaper than ever cooking in my dormitory room. + shoutout to taobao for 1/2 day delivery 😍 everything was sooo convenient and affordable
3. language barrier (??)
ok tbf i speak a fair bit of chinese but if my A Levels D grade attests to anything is that I didn’t really have a hard time. firstly, everything is by QR code. just scan and translate everything through your phone, the food staff won’t bother you either. secondly, if you’re like me and went to the visa bureau or even the bank, there are staff that can speak English in these “official” situations.
4. safety🗣️🗣️🗣️
there are like polices everywhere!!! even in their MRT stations there are compulsory bag checks. my school was guarded heavily and had limited public access. and in didi/private hired cars there is a mandatory audio/video recording that will alarm the system if your driver assaults you or even goes off their path! i mean as a girl i felt decently safe :) especially when i would go back to my dormitory at like 3am
5. transportation
truly felt like singapore ❤️ accessible! convenient! affordable! even private hired cars were super cheap. brought me to anywhere i wanted
will happily take any questions if anybody has them! did my exchange at shanghai jiaotong if anyone was wondering
If you’re thinking about studying abroad in Shanghai, one thing you might want to consider is the local community and programs designed specifically for international students. For example, getting involved in a local guide program or cultural exchange groups on campus can enrich your experience and help you build meaningful friendships while discovering hidden gems of the city outside popular tourist spots. Additionally, many students wonder how day trips around Shanghai work. Thanks to the efficient public transportation network, including the extensive metro system and affordable private hired cars, exploring nearby cities or scenic spots like Fengqiao is quite convenient. Fengqiao itself is known for its unique community engagement and social harmony programs — perfect for students interested in grassroots cultural understanding. Budget-wise, living and studying in Shanghai can be really affordable if you use local services like Meituan for food delivery or Taobao for quick shopping needs, sometimes with same-day delivery. This makes managing living expenses and daily essentials easier, especially if you’re not super comfortable cooking for yourself. Speaking from experience, safety is something important to mention. Shanghai is very safe with visible security measures everywhere, from police presence in the MRT stations to campus security and monitoring in hired cars. This gave me peace of mind, especially as a solo female traveler returning late to my dorm. Lastly, don’t stress too much about language. Even if your Chinese is not fluent, many situations can be handled with simple phone translations or English-speaking staff in official places like banks or visa offices. It’s all about being open-minded and ready to embrace the adventure. Ask around your university or student forums for tips on navigating day-to-day life, exploring nightlife, and local hangouts — it really helped me settle in quickly and enjoy every part of my journey.
hiii ard how much did u spend for ur exchange in china? im a pol sci major as well so curious to know the mods you took! :)