Anna in Shanghai

NYU Junior in Shanghai for Fall 2013

[zhenanna]

Back in New York

This semester has been an awesome adventure! I would've never imagine that studying away would encompass so much fun, excitement, new friendships, and overall attachment to Shanghai, China. The semester flew by, as I have written previously and I can proudly say that if given the chance to change anything in the past, I would not. Each and every smile and mistake is what makes my very memory of my study abroad experience. I am very happy that I chose to study abroad in Shanghai! Other than suffering from jet-lag and a bad sleeping schedule, I find myself having to adjust to life in New York again. It's an odd feeling, especially since I grew up in New York. But I believe Shanghai has definitely opened up my eyes to how big the world is and how much there is to experience in the global age we live in!

我觉得这个学期在上海留学是一个很珍贵的经验。在美国八月的时候，我真的没有想过上海会这么好玩，兴奋，得到这么多的新朋友们，及喜欢上海，中国！这个学期过的很快而如果有机会改变什么的话，我不会。我相信每一个微笑和每一个差错是包含了我的留学的回忆和经验。最后我很高兴选择去中国留学！！！

除了觉得很累而有不好的睡觉时间以外，我感到自己要重新适应纽约的环境。我觉得这很奇怪啊！但是我相信去上海留学帮助了我能看到这个世界是很大而应该主动去看看我们全球性的时代！！！

I was blessed!

-Anna Zhen

[zhenanna]

Studying Abroad in Shanghai

Today is move-out day for the majority of NYU Shanghai study-abroad students. It is a weird feeling to see the apartments become empty after having resided in the apartments for around three and a half months. Time flew. I still remember the first day I moved in and the memories that I formed while I was here. The new friendships I made, the new things I learned and the new experiences I gained. Shanghai is a great city that is modernizing and growing. I look forward to visiting Shanghai in the future.

[zhenanna]

My Adventure in Shanghai

December 16 2013:Nearing the end of my study abroad experience. The Bund.

August 30th: The start of my study abroad experience in Shanghai. The Bund.

The time flew!

[zhenanna]

The Amazement of the Chinese National Church Service

I was amazed that there was so much people who attended the Chinese national church service at hengshan lu. It was so packed to the extent that people had to sit outside to listen to the service!! I am so encouraged!!!!

今天我参加了国家教堂的早上十点钟的教堂课。我很惊讶看到这么多中国人参加这个教堂！ 我虽然十点五分到教堂的门口，但是没有想到就晚了五分钟就没有教堂里面的位坐了。所以有很多人在教堂的门口听基督教牧师教。我看到这么多人爱耶稣我觉得很快乐！！ 

`Church service was packed!!! 很多人在教堂啊！！

I finally got my first Chinese bible!!!! 我终于买到我第一的中文圣经！！！

[zhenanna]

Nearing the end of my stay in Shanghai

Today was my last day volunteering in the Migrant school: Wenbo with Stepping Stones. The experience was very rewarding. Every Thursday, I always looked forward to going to the migrant school to teach the kids English and witness the enthusiasm from not only the kids but also the staff. From Stepping stones, I developed some great friendships that I would never forget and am truly thankful for. Teaching in Wenbo has positively impacted my study abroad experience in Shanghai.  Although I am left with a bitter-sweet feeling due to the end of my contribution to Stepping Stones and Wenbo, I am grateful that this experience has helped me to become even more certain and confident that I want a career revolving around helping children. Working in Wenbo Migrant school was a great experience and I believe it was truly a blessing!   

今天是我最后一天在文博小学做老师。 我觉得这个经历很珍贵。每个星期四，我会很期待去文博可以看到怎么多的小朋友对于学英文有很多的感兴趣。从文博我和很多和我打工的人成为了朋友，他们对我很好，也帮了我很多所以我很感谢能认识这些人。我觉得在文博教小朋友对我在上海留学的经历来说有了很好的影响。虽然我觉得有一点不开心但是我很感谢这个经历让我更确定我的未来工作一定会有关于帮组儿童!!!

[zhenanna]

Bargaining in the Science and Technology Museum Underground Tailor Market

From the train station: Science and Technology Museum, as you walk straight, you will come across a tailor market. The tailor market comprises of tailors who can tailor in particular suits, shirts and overall business attires. You can bargain for a more suitable price. But you have to "bargain hard" in order to get a good price! Make sure to bring someone who is good at bargaining or you can better your bargaining skills in this tailor market! In addition, as you walk out of the tailor market, you will find tons of vendors selling tourist must-find items, such as Chinese paintings and cool Beijing opera-style historical Chinese figure magnets! I highly suggest visiting this spot!

[zhenanna]

Carrefour in Shanghai: A Mall of a Variety of Food

Carrefour, a mall close to the apartments that study away students reside in, has a variety of restaurants and food that I only recently discovered. Food ranging from noodles/rice to desserts can be found in this huge mall. Below is duck with noodle soup.

[zhenanna]

Cooking Class in Shanghai

This Friday, I went to a cooking class sponsored by NYU Shanghai. It was a lot of fun and very interesting! In the cooking class, everyone had a chance to prepare and cook the food. Everyone wore a white apron, cooked in a cooking studio and got the opportunity to observe and learn from a very talented chef. We worked in teams of two preparing and cooking the two dishes! I highly suggest taking the chance to sign up for the cooking classes! I regret not signing up earlier for the other cooking classes. 

[zhenanna]

Convenient Store in Shanghai

Lawson is a convenient store in Shanghai, which I found myself heading to for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. Lawson was one of the only stores in Shanghai that sold a meal with rice during late hours like 11pm. Lawson sold a variety of food ranging from chips to actual meals. Lawson is definitely my go-to store here in Shanghai.

[zhenanna]

Peking Opera in Shanghai

I very much enjoyed watching the Peking Opera in Shanghai!! I understood the entire show and dialogue. The acting was great and the singing was magnificent! After this experience I have a positive impression of the art of Peking Operas and would watch another if given the chance!!

昨天我和我的学校去看一个京剧。很好看啊！！！整个剧所说所演的故事我都懂让我很开心。我发现我在中国仅仅三个月不但中文进步了也学了很多中国的历史。因为这两个原因我懂昨天所看的京剧。我觉得这个京剧的演员演得很好也唱歌唱得很好！如果可以再看别的京剧的话我一定会！

[zhenanna]

Modernization in Beijing

My trip to Beijing was very fun and interesting. One of the interesting things I saw in Beijing was the contrast between Old Beijing and New Beijing. Old Beijing consists of one-floor houses, restaurants, etc. Old Beijing was also located within the inner circle of Beijing which line 2 trains functions. On the other hand, New Beijing consist of tall buildings and skyscrapers, and in my opinion similar to the environment of New York City. New Beijing is filled with shopping centers, foreign restaurants and companies. There was such a difference!

[zhenanna]

Climbing the Great Wall

The Great Wall of China is a symbol of China and I've heard stories and seen pictures of the Great Wall of China since I was a child. But I would've never thought that I would climb the Great Wall. I was surprised that I even decided to go to Beijing last minute. Since I was in Beijing, it was the perfect opportunity to climb the Great Wall and see it in-person.

I went to one of the most crowded areas in the Great Wall of China, partly due to the commercialization and tourist attraction. The Great Wall consist of stairs that escalated up a mountain. It was a real climb. The climb up the Great Wall was tiring and the walk down the Great Wall was a bit terrifying, especially since it looked like a walk down a mountain.

But when I finally reached the top of the Great Wall from Badaling, it was worth it!

[zhenanna]

Trip to Beijing: Forbidden City

The Forbidden City is  so big and grand, in addition to being full of people and tourist like me!

[zhenanna]

Qipu Lu in Shanghai

Qipu Lu in Shanghai is what the reviews depicts it to be, which is shops filled with cheap clothing and accessories. Once you get off the train and out of the train station, there are stores advertising for people to shop in. But there are also people who sells clothing and accessories outside of the mall and on the streets. The stands extend for streets. In addition, the merchandise sold  are even more cheaper than what is sold in the stores. I highly suggest stopping by this spot if you are in Shanghai!

[zhenanna]

Hair Dye at Zen Salon

Last weekend, one of my roommates and I went to a Japanese salon which is in a mall next to Jin du Yuan. The salon has a sleek black design with mirrors casting reflections and shine throughout the salon. I wanted to get my hair dyed, and I have yet to try that in Shanghai. In addition, I have come across this salon several times along with receiving a suggestion from a friend. The stylists are very professional and the hair dyeing process which was supposed to take two hours took only an approximate one hour and fifteen minutes. They also give free tea and magazines to read while waiting. It was a very good first experience because not only was the process very easygoing but it was a lot of fun having a friend to talk to during this time too.

I would highly suggest trying Zen Salon if you happen to be in Shanghai, although the prices are a bit high, but it is worth the price!

[zhenanna]

Visting a Watertown (Zhu Jia Jiao) in Shanghai

It was great to go on a NYU sponsored trip to a watertown in Shanghai. I was able to see how towns in Shanghai was structured before modernization. It is so beautiful!

[zhenanna]

Working in a Migrant School

I love working in the migrant school!! The enthusiasm of the kids to learn English is so motivating. Even though I felt tired at the start of my day, at the end of day, volunteering with Stepping Stones and teaching English to second graders has helped to encourage and regenerate my strength. I look forward to working with the kids next Thursday!

我很喜欢在文博学校工作！这些学生们对学习英文的兴趣对我来说是很好的事。虽然我今天起床的时候觉得很累，但是在文博教二年级的学生英文以后，我就觉得不累了。我发现这些学生的精力及开心状态也影响了我的精神状态。 我觉得下课以后开心了很多！我很期待下个星期四去文博学校教英文！！