This bustling Chinese city is wonderfully international with booming industries and a bright, modern skyline. Shanghai is accessible and easy to navigate for foreigners, with tons to offer young people. It’s the perfect place to gain international professional experience, make new friends and explore a new part of the world. Here are our top reasons why you should do an internship in Shanghai.
9 killer reasons to do an international internship in Shanghai
1. It’s a global financial hub
Shanghai is China’s most populous city and boasts a long list of diverse booming industries, in part due to its container port, which is the busiest in the world. Learning about Chinese markets and the local business culture is an excellent way to prepare yourself for the business world, considering the vast Chinese economy.
2. Diversion galore
From partying in Karaoke parks to braving the Jin Mao Tower walkway, Shanghai has something to offer just about everyone. For a more historical view of the city, interns can explore the Qibao Old Town or the stunning Yu Garden. In terms of museums, Shanghai offers some unique displays in the automobile museum, music box museum and sports museum. For some lounge time outside, People’s Park is a beautiful spot for a warm afternoon.
3. Understanding Chinese culture
As China’s largest city, Shanghai certainly has a lot of diverse expressions and facets in terms of representing Chinese culture. A trip to a tea house is an absolute must. In Shanghai an intern can also learn some Mandarin, though this is not the original language of the area. Shanghainese was spoken throughout the region, though young people now must also speak Mandarin as the city has moved to become a global economic hub and thus streamlined.
4. Truly international city
A city with over 24 million people, Shanghai also has its fair share of foreigners. Thousands of Koreans, Japanese, Americans, French and Germans are foreign residents of Shanghai. Many locals speak English and public transportation along with many restaurants in international areas will include English translations. Moreover, as a foreigner you can find any type of food or activity you want whenever you’re missing home.
5. Incredible cuisine at any price
Even fancier places in Shanghai won’t set you back too munch. A nice splurge meal will ring up at US$10 or US$12, though the local places with likely the best and most authentic Shanghai dishes will cost as little as US$1 or US$2. Interns in Shanghai have to try the local take on xiao long bao, which is dumplings with soup. The Sichuan cuisine is also perfectly scrumptious and can be found at a great price.
6. It’s close to many Asian destinations
The city’s proximity to Thailand and Japan make it strategic for a young person with a bit of a travel bug. Public transportation, bullet trains, airports and an excellent metro system make travel a breeze. For day or weekend trips, Nanjing and Hangzhou are just a two hour ride away by train. Canal cities like Suzhou are also very close to Shanghai. Meanwhile, if you travel by high speed rail, Beijing is only five hours away.
7. An unforgettable cityscape
The Shanghai skyline in the Lujiazui district cannot be missed. The cityscape can be best admired from either The Bund or French Concession, popular touristy strips. For a view that will make even the bravest dizzy, go to the top of the Shanghai World Financial Center.
8. The amazing (and cheap) metro system
Boasting 200 different stations among 16 lines, Shanghai’s metro is the most extensive system in the world. Luckily for you, metro signs have been translated into English. There’s even a smartphone app to download the metro map!
9. The many markets
You can find just about anything at the markets in Shanghai – and there are so many of them! For cheap knock-off products, the Science & Technology Subway Station Fake Stuff Market is a recommended spot. Pop up stores in the Shanghai mall will make you go “omg”. Meanwhile, style gurus will love the Anxi Clothing Market.
Apply now to do an international internship in Shanghai to boost your career!
Sources: http://www.timeoutshanghai.com/feature/28589/Shanghais-best-markets.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghainese, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Shanghai, http://travel.cnn.com/shanghai/play/worlds-greatest-city-50-reasons-why-shanghai-no-1-590704/, http://goingawesomeplaces.com/top-10-things-to-do-in-shanghai/, http://www.phyllisonthemap.com/10-reasons-shanghai-best-place-live-china/
Photo 1. based on Lujiazui_2, by hans-johnson, CC-by-ND 2.0
Photo 2. based on view from my roof, by David Leo Veksler, CC-by-2.0
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