Category Archives: Student’s blog

Top 5 reasons why I ♥ being a Next Step Intern in Shanghai!

Posted on by
Reply

1.       Next Step Connection and staff – Connecting you with the world

Each intern comes from a different background, but shares the same the wonderful staff to guide and support them while in Shanghai. Overall, the staff has been a tremendous help, like listening to my problems and helping me find a solution to my issues. Also, whenever visited the NSC office, I was always warmly welcomed. The NSC dinners tends to be a huge event, which allowed the interns to meet each other. Not only is Next Step helping you connect with the world through your internship, but also helping you make connections that last a lifetime.

2.       Shanghai food – Pass the chopsticks!

From donuts to dumplings to everything on a stick, Shanghai has some of the tastiest food I’ve ever had. For breakfast, I would have baozi, soymilk, porridge, and convenient store food, but I can still find my donuts, cereal, and oatmeal. So, you may cringe when you hear chicken’s feet, duck blood, and pig liver, but you’ll never know what it taste like until you try it. It’s awesome!! One of my favorite experiences is walking down the street with a long row of people with grills cooking meat on a stick or frying something in a pan and you basically want to eat everything. Although there is a 50% chance of getting a stomach ache, it is still something worth eating. Also, there are also other great appetizers like stinky tofu (not that stinky!), xiao long bao, and fried dumplings you should try. With the picture menu and the art of pointing, ordering food can be simple even though you might not know what you actually ordering. Whether you are eating dumplings, rice, or noodles, you have to use chopsticks because when in China do what the Chinese do.

3.       Shopping and street – Hey lady, Purse, Watch, Handbags??

Probably the popular phrases you learn when you arrive in Shanghai is “duoshao qian? (How much?” and “bu yao (I don’t want it).” When shopping in tourist areas you will always find someone trying to sell you fake designer stuff and with so many shop and boutiques to choose from it can be overwhelming, but overall it is a fun experience. You just have to learn the art of bargaining. However, always watch out for pick-pocketers!

Furthermore, as you stroll down the street on your right, you see modern, unique architectural style buildings and then to your left you see poor, old alleyways and shops. But, be careful crossing the streets because for cars, buses, and taxis green means go and red means pedestrians need to move out of the way or get run over. One of my favorite experiences was going to the Bund at 5 in the morning just as the sun is rising. You will also see old people exercising and little kids flying kites. Shanghai is one of the cities where you can get by without having to know the language because most signs and menus are in English, which it makes things easier. So, when you shop till you drop, don’t forget to bargain!

4.       Personal Growth – You’re finally on your own as an intern in Shanghai, so what?

Having a strong passion and motivation to learn about the Chinese culture and language, I reflect on the work I’ve done, the lessons I’ve learned, and my purpose of coming to Shanghai. Nevertheless, being on your own is harder than you expect.  Although at time it feels lonely, I had the opportunity to step outside my ordinary life and see things from a new perspective. I might not like the overcrowded streets or people constantly bumping into me and not apologize, but if every time someone stops to say I’m sorry then I would hear it all day.

I might not know how to speak Chinese, but I do understand body language and try to listen to what they are saying. Whether it is talking with my coworkers, strangers on the street, or even other interns, I know I have improved my skill at communicating with others. I might not know it now, but I believe my stay in Shanghai has allowed me to grow and be a better person than I was before I came here.

5.       Internship – Intern in China, what is that?

I knew going into this internship I would have trouble with the language barriers and difficulty understand Chinese business etiquette. Nevertheless, I never understood how lonely and difficult it can be to not understand a language. I guess that is how foreigners feel when living in a new country. The language barrier makes it difficult to building a relationship with the employers, when you work harder to build the relationship you may end up having a friend for life.  My internship may not be everything I thought that it would be, but I gained a wealth of knowledge about Human Resources and improved my communication skills on a professional and personal level. I gained a new perspective of Chinese business etiquette and understanding the similarities and difference of Human Resource in China and the US such as the office structure and rules.

 Cam Huong Huynh, United States –  Program Duration: 2 months – blog after 7 weeks in Shanghai

 

Share this article

Bookmark and Share

My NSC Internship in Shanghai — Amazing!

Posted on by
Reply

First of all, I would like to start off by saying “I <3 NSC!” ^_^

So far in China, I have loved every minute of it. Every second is a learning experience from interacting with Chinese people to crossing the roads (Trust me even crossing the roads are very eventful). The biggest thing here to try and adapt to is the culture and how the people are. They can be seen as rude to Westerners but it is normal in their culture.

My recent travels in China have been around Shanghai and Beijing. The two cities are different and you get a whole different kind of feel. Beijing was more of an old cultural city. I would recommend going to the Great Wall (of course) and trying the Beijing duck! Unfortunately I did not try the amazing duck I’ve been hearing about all week due to stomach problems. But make sure you get the chance to try the scorpion or any other creatures they have for sale crawling around. Beijing was more spread out and it seemed more relaxed than Shanghai.

Of course Shanghai is the business city and its fast pace and high end style is what all the fun is. The view from The Bund in Shanghai is unbeatable and lifestyle seems to be more fun for foreigners. I have experienced both Beijing and Shanghai nightlife and I can tell you; there is nowhere like Shanghai. Of course Beijing was a lot of fun but Shanghai just has that feel to it that I can’t describe.

The internship that NSC has helped provided for me is at a company called ET2C international. I am dealing with marketing. So far the experience has been exciting and knowledgeable. I am doing something totally new so it is a great learning experience. So far I am marketing products to other companies like Procter & Gamble, Nike, and Unilever. I do the research and development on the products given to me and other companies. If you’re only in Shanghai for 2months doing an internship like me, do not let any opportunity pass you by especially if you have a chance for a job or a good reference for the future from your internship.

NSC has provided me with a great place to live! I have a great room mate. The living style here is livable! The food is very cheap! I had a meal the other day for 10RMB – that’s just over a dollar! As long as you’re not a picky eater and are willing to be open minded about the food then you will be fine. You can also find a nice Western restaurant all around and if it’s that much of an emergency there is always a McDonalds around the corner. The McDonalds tastes exactly the same as in the states and is a little cheaper then the states.

You may also find that traveling on the Metro/Subway is quite interesting. You will be going to work during rush hours! Depending on where you are interning be prepared to squeeze and push into the train. You will be side by side with Chinese people without your own space at this time. Be careful and keep your belongings close to you at all times. This may not sound as fun but in my opinion this is a great experience since I do not have this type of experience at home. Using the Metro/Subway is very easy.

I have learned a lot so far being here in Shanghai. From living in Shanghai to the work I do at my internship. I am figuring myself out, what type of person I am and what’s next for me in the future. I know that I should learn Mandarin or have at least the basics as most business is dealt here in China. I have met a lot of great people in Shanghai so far! Networking and getting to know people and staying in contact with them for the future will do you good. Meeting everyone and conversing about each others experience really helps you get an idea of what you may want to do in the future. For me I know I WILL be back to Shanghai either for business or pleasure! I <3 Shanghai!!

Advice I would give for other foreign interns who are planning to come to Shanghai or China in general is to be very open-minded!!! Be prepared for a different culture. If you are not familiar with household skills start getting familiar with them as you will be more independent here. Also you may want to practice your squatting technique! Haha! It is not as common anymore but there are still the hole in the ground in some restaurants and other places. Be prepared! If you choose to come to Shanghai I guarantee it will be one of the best decisions you make.

Last but not least I want to thank the NSC staff! They are all great people! They know how to have fun! They are all friendly and helpful. I want to thank them for showing me a great time in Shanghai and for giving me this great opportunity to be here in Shanghai!!!

Louis Grayson, United States –  Program Duration: 2 months

Share this article

Bookmark and Share

Shanghai Tips

Posted on by
Reply

I am a local Chinese from the northern part of China and I’ve worked with NSC for almost 1 year. When I first saw Shanghai I thought it was unbelievable that I’m here. It’s so big and modern, and such a luxurious city. When you go around Shanghai, you can see how amazing it is. It’s a very international city with lots of different people from different countries who bring different cultures. You can find everything you want here without feeling that you’re in an unfamiliar city. You can find many delicious foods from other countries. Check out some food streets to try the local delicacies like “Yang’s Fry Dumpling” or “Jiajia Tangbao,” which is a steamed soup dumpling – It’s so delicious. If you are just in Shanghai for 1 week, you should go to these places as your local food stop.

You can check http://www.smartshanghai.com/ as a very useful website to go around Shanghai.

If you are here longer than 1 week, you should try to visit different cities like Beijing, Yunnan, or even Macao and Hongkong. If you visit those cities they will give you more of a glimpse of China since they are very different cities. China has 56 ethnic groups, and each city has its own special culture. For Hong Kong and Macao you can take a very quick flight there to spend a weekend.

So why wait, come to China!

Share this article

Bookmark and Share

NSC, My Family

Posted on by
Reply

I have been living in Shanghai for almost 5 years now so I know the city very well. In Shanghai you can taste food from all over the world. The transportation is very convenient to go anywhere. It’s a very modern city and the largest in China. There are many malls for people to go shopping. When I first arrived in Shanghai, I loved the city and decided that after I graduate I need to stay in Shanghai.

When I was a student in university I did an internship with NSC. This is actually my first internship. I really like this job – no, I should say I really like this family. I work full time now for this company ever since I graduated. You can say NSC is my second home while I live in Shanghai.

Now I have been working for NSC for almost 3 years. Some friends ask me, “Are you happy? Are you tired of this job?” To be honest, I am really happy to be working at NSC. I like our team and I like our interns. During these 3 years, I laughed a lot with our team – everybody is so nice, and we have a lot of fun. But it’s also sad when our interns leave Shanghai after they finish their internship. During these years, I saw our NSC team grow bigger and stronger. Our office has become larger than before and, of course, we have more and more interns. I have learned a lot from this company and grew up with this company.

Every time I see the picture I took with my interns, I smile a lot and feel very happy to share the happiness with my colleagues and friends about the funny moments that happened with my interns. I always remember the times when interns arrive in Shanghai. I still remember the fun we had together.

I hope more and more people will join our family in Shanghai.

Share this article

Bookmark and Share

Emily Frost – Live from Hong Kong- Week 6

Posted on by
Reply

The pace of life in Hong Kong is fierce. The daily hours are no longer than those of  ‘the city that never sleeps’ or any of America’s financial centers — but the pace of the streets is incomparable. The hive-like population combined with the vertical pitch of the city means if you want to get somewhere you’ll have to maneuver through a crush of people.

After a work week full of bobbing and weaving and trekking, I was intent on a retreat. Weekends should be about looking up, noticing a bird or the streaks of the sunset, not barreling forward, eyes to the ground. So in the knick of time, I leapt aboard a ferry headed to Mui Wo, an undeveloped cove on Lantau Island, half an hour from the metropolis.

Time slowed down — I watched a praying mantis, waiting for him to move from his steely pose — transfixed by arms that seemed to float mid-air. I rented the rustiest bike and pedaled off in an unknown direction. Clouds rolled in over the mountain. The shell of a car sat rusted and overtaken by wild vegetation — who knows how long it had sat there — 30 years perhaps?

And finally, I closed my eyes and let the sound of a small waterfall trickle  into my ears. There was no need to dart about, no need for frenzy at all. This water will rush in a few moments time, tonight, tomorrow, in three months time — whether I’m here or not.

Riding back, I saw a red gated door standing in a concrete archway, any wall long crumbled away. It no longer led to other people, just to the jungle beyond.

Share this article

Bookmark and Share