1920s Shanghai was famed in the West for the glitz, luxury and bohemian exoticism that only the Orient could offer and gave it its name as the ‘Paris of the East’. Nowadays the city is known for its affluence, modernity and nightlife, and life as a Shanghai intern will give you a taste of Eastern glamour few cities can rival.
Located on the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai has grown from a traditional trading port to a truly global and progressive city. Its history as a harbour city has meant that Shanghai has always been open to international influences and at the forefront of Chinese modernization.
As Shanghai’s people becomes richer, they engage in one main pastime. Shopping. The consumer culture in Shanghai is extensive and entertaining, with traditional markets and modern malls to cater to every whim. Check out the Flower, Bird, Fish and Insect market to see old Chinese men barter for caged crickets, or the hi-tech Cybermart to pick up every imaginable piece of electronic equipment.
This consumer frenzy has pulled in people from around the globe looking for business opportunities, and has spawned a unique sense of entrepreneurship in Shanghai. New, exciting businesses try their luck here everyday as success in Shanghai can be starting point of a bright and plentiful future.
One of Shanghai’s most famed features is its skyline. Architectural wonders past and present populate the Western bank of the Huangpu River, known as The Bund. Lit up at night it is a striking mix of Art-Deco architecture and older gothic and baroque buildings. The city is a cosmopolitan metropolis and buzzes with life, day and night. Shanghai is home to the world’s fastest growing stock exchange making the city the financial heart of Mainland China.
The mystical City of God Temple lies at the core of the old city and reveals a more ancient Chinese past, where many go to pay their respects to the gods and the Taoist priests who reside there. Here, the true Chinese heart of the city can be seen in the buildings and the historical monuments.
Try your hand in a Shanghai Internship
Many students nowadays tend to seek internship programs abroad rather than in their home country as there are many benefits in doing so. An internship is a unique way of enhancing your professional experience in a field of your choice, with the added benefits of networking with international students and experiencing a whole new culture.
The Shanghai internship is proving to be an excellent choice since China is forging it’s way to being one of the most powerful emerging markets in the world. With a vibrant Asian setting, the city offers a unique challenge when settling into the atmosphere, traditions and culture.
Life as a Shanghai intern is fast-paced, gilt-edged and absorbing – when you’re not working in the heart of China’s commercial centre you can be relaxing in glamorous bars and clubs, taking advantage of the abundant shopping opportunities or sampling the delicious specialities associated with Shanghainese cuisine.
Our website also offers more information about the serviced accommodation we provide for our Shanghai Interns, we’d also recommend reading about the experiences of our Intern Bloggers in Shanghai.