Written by Emma Chongo (Haverford College), Student Correspondent for CET Shanghai, Spring 2026
My Special Shanghai Birthday
This day was one of the best days of my life! Not only was it the first birthday I spent abroad, but it was also my 21st birthday. My day began quite ordinarily. Having been in Shanghai, studying at Donghua University, for nearly three weeks now, I have established a relatively consistent routine. I woke up early before my 10 am Mandarin class to call my family and plan out my assignments for the week. As soon as I stepped out the door to get to Mandarin class (which was a special activity where we conducted four interviews with Donghua University students on a topic related to our current textbook chapter), I was greeted with the fragrances of Spring and the beautiful blue sky. After the Wintery weather of the last few days, I was especially happy with this sunny day.
Taking Mandarin at Donghua University
During Mandarin class…at first, approaching strangers and interviewing them completely in Mandarin felt awkward to say the least. I soon realized that this assignment (meeting local Chinese people) is exactly what I wanted to do once in China. Once I grounded myself in this mentality, introducing myself to my Chinese fellow university peers felt more natural. During my conversations, I found several points of connection. We had similar hobbies, majors, and lived experiences. Although I am international student, taking classes in English through CET’s program, this experience was a useful reminder that I can go out and connect with the local DHU students myself. The more time I spend in China, the more I realize that open-mindedness is one of the most useful traits to have.
Following Mandarin class, I had lunch with a group of fellow CET students at one of the university cafeterias. Connecting with the people in my CET cohort has been one of the many highlights of this experience. The food was yummy and convenient to purchase. DHU has two cafeterias, each with multiple levels and so many options for food. I think it’s a great place to people watch.
Interning at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences
After lunch, I took the bus to my internship. I am working 10 hours a week for SASS (the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences), a prominent think-tank organization in China. As a Political Science major, I am considering a career as a researcher or policy analyst. At my internship, I am lucky to work directly with a researcher in their urban studies department. I am helping him prepare his research presentation for when he goes to England. Although we have only done two work sessions, we have made important progress, and I am learning a lot about what it means to work in a think tank. Outside of this teaching English position, I am also tasked with my own research project, where I will assist my boss in researching the role canals play in the economic, cultural, and logistical circumstances of cities around the world.
Anyway…once I got back to campus, I had a quick dinner. Then went to work. In the evening, we all celebrated my birthday together in the study room (the next day, all the Mandarin classes had the biweekly written and oral tests). The cake was a surprise from a good friend back in the U.S. who sent the cake via an online delivery app. It was so lovely to celebrate my birthday together. Many new adventures and much excitement await me in the coming months here in China. Side question: Will I learn to enjoy the taste of stinky tofu during my time here?
I hope more people come to China to study abroad. It is truly a unique experience. I am growing so much, in ways that I couldn’t even imagine.
Halfway Through Shanghai: What This Experience Has Meant So Far
My program director was right: I love China. When he first said this at orientation, I was not completely convinced. I was jet-lagging and felt overwhelmed by all the new apps and enormity of China. Yet, eight weeks in, I have gained a new perspective. China is such a special country, and I hope more foreigners prioritize visiting China.
Studying abroad with CET Shanghai wasn’t a spontaneous decision, rather, it’s been something I’ve been building toward my entire life. I’m here for the Spring 2026 semester (from late February to early June), as a political science major with a minor in East Asian Languages and Cultures. At this point in my academic career, I’m beginning to think seriously about my undergraduate thesis and my long-term goal of attending law school. I wanted a program that would challenge me academically while also pushing me outside of my comfort zone.
For me, that meant one thing: improving my Mandarin in a place where I had no choice but to use it every day.
I’ve been learning Mandarin since I was three years old. I began learning Mandarin at an immersion preschool and immersion elementary school in San Francisco. In third grade, I moved to a new school and continued taking Mandarin through afterschool classes, tutoring, and placed on emphasis on starting conversations in Mandarin wherever I could. I wanted to overcome my embarrassment with speaking Mandarin and become comfortable with making mistakes. But despite all that time, I had never truly tested my language skills in an environment where Mandarin is the default. That was a big reason I chose to come to China. I wanted to know what it would feel like to live here, not just visit.
At the same time, I was drawn to the experience itself. Coming to China felt like a real adventure, and I’ve always been someone who says yes to those opportunities.
A Saturday Spent in Hangzhou
Recently, I took a day trip from Shanghai to Hangzhou with friends. My mom also joined, which was particularly special! We all took the high-speed rail, which was incredibly smooth and easy. I am incredibly blown away by how developed China is, and the high degree of efficiency in China’s public infrastructure.
We spent the day around West Lake (湖西), a beautiful area with mountains, water, and pagodas that felt like stepping into a painting. We visited a tea garden, tried fresh Dragon Well tea (龙井茶), and watched people drying the tea leaves along the road. Later, my mom and I climbed a pagoda, and the view from the top was incredible.
The time I have spent traveling in China has opened my eyes to how present history is here. History and traditional culture are not some distant concepts, rather it plays an active role in every-day life and society.
The Small Moments
Not all meaningful experiences come from big trips. Some of my favorites have been smaller: late-night conversations with my local roommate, practicing Mandarin in real situations, and even going to a comedy club where young comedians joked about dating and rising costs. Shanghai has started feeling more like home to me.
My routine has become, waking up, having a quick breakfast, going to my daily mandarin class, having lunch at one of the two campus cafeterias, then finishing classes/attending my internship, and grabbing a dinner after I go rock climbing or running. Every so often, we go on class field trips together! They are so much fun! I find the field trips to be a great way to bring the classroom material to life. The food alone has pushed me to be more open-minded. I’ve tried things I never would have back in the U.S., and it’s expanded my perspective in unexpected ways.
From Youngling to Padawan: Personal Growth in China
Living here has given me a more nuanced understanding of China. It took a few weeks for me to adjust to life here in China. Although once I did, I gained a deeper sense of gratitude towards everyone that helped me get to China. I also realized how much support I have in China. My roommate, and even strangers have been the most welcoming, kind, and eager to help. More than anything, this experience has pushed me to grow. Adjusting hasn’t always been easy, but being outside my comfort zone every day has been incredibly rewarding.
Looking Forward
I’m only halfway through this experience, which is both exciting and a little hard to believe. There’s still so much more I want to do, learn, and experience. If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s this: don’t sweat the little stuff. Things will go wrong. You’ll get lost, feel out of place, or not understand everything. At the same time, I have made some of the best friendships of my life here. Studying abroad in Shanghai is a truly unique journey and I hope more people will come try it out!