Hashing and Biking in Shanghai

I officially hit my two week mark in Shanghai!  I've definitely gotten into a rhythm - morning park runs, biking to and from work, Chinese language classes, spending time with my host family, and hanging out with other interns from around the world.

Pond at the park near my homestay

The explosion of apps and technology means that the China I knew 10 years ago has completely transformed (much like the US has).  There is an app for everything.  I use WeChat or AliPay to pay for everything using my Chinese bank debit card.  Uber is still in China, but I have been using Didi, a similar ride-share app just for China.

I also absolutely LOVE the bike sharing programs in China.  There are many different programs, but instead of having dedicated stands like they typically have in the US, you just park your bike in any designated bike area on the sidewalk.  I use one app called OFO, and can usually find an OFO bike within a block or two (and often right in front of my building).  It's 1 RMB (~14 cents) to ride for half an hour, which makes my commute to and from work (and anywhere else I want to go) extremely affordable.  They have promotions all the time too, which means I've already had plenty of free rides.

Stopped at a light with my fellow bikers

 This past weekend, I joined a running/walking group called the Shanghai Hashers (affectionately called a drinking group with a running problem).  We ran about 6 miles, with 2 beer stops along the way, and more beer, laughs, and dinner afterwards.  They were a very welcoming group, and I loved the mix of Chinese and non-Chinese.  I'll definitely be going back, and joining up with other hasher groups in Beijing and Nanjing.

The Shanghai Hashers stop for a photo op during the run

Next time I'll post more about both my internship and my host family!

Word of the day: 共享单车 (gòngxiǎng dānchē) - bike sharing

Hai from Shanghai!

Almost two years after planning to get a masters degree (and many more thinking about it), the time has come!

If you're reading this blog post, chances are you already know that I quit my job at IBM, transitioned the Chicago Student Invention Convention to Chicago Innovation, moved to Shanghai (Beijing next!) for the summer interning with CYBF, and will attend the Hopkins-Nanjing Center in Nanjing in the fall, where I'll start my masters of international studies through Johns Hopkins.

Transition and change are never easy.  As I made my way through customs at the Shanghai Airport, gathered my bags, and searched for my ride, I was instantly humbled and frustrated by my (very rusty) language skills.  After arriving at my homestay, "it" hit me.  What if this was all a mistake?  How could I leave my life in Chicago, leave my friends and family, and quit my job??  And HOW will I ever feel confident starting masters level classes in Chinese??? 

Five days in, I'm still feeling uprooted and anxious, but am embracing my new normal, and am more excited (and patient) about tackling this new challenge ahead of me.  I'm looking forward to the personal learning and growth that will undeniably come from this experience, and that will create new and exciting pathways along the way (it's all about the journey, right?).

View of downtown from Bar Rouge

This week, I got a Chinese SIM card, opened a Chinese bank account, signed up for WeChat Pay (it changed my world!), and downloaded the bike sharing app OFO (more on this later).  My language skills are (slowly...) improving, my host family is very nice (more on this later too), and I've met other people with whom I can practice Chinese and/or grab a drink after work.  I'm adjusting to my new routine, which includes biking to work (anyone who knows me and my biking skills will appreciate this accomplishment), working in a cool co-working space, and going on runs around my neighborhood before work.

I survived my first bike ride to work!

There's a quote from Goethe my dad shared with me a while ago, and I find the last part especially relevant in this moment:

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.  Begin it now."

And so it begins...

Word of the day: skyline - 天际线 (tian1ji4xian4)