sensing shanghai
sensing shanghai a year of living and learning in shanghai
2013/2014
Copyright Š by Yin Hwee Lim Design and photographs by Yin Hwee Lim. No part of this book may be reproduced in any written, electronic, recording, or photocopying without prior written permission. All rights reserved. Photographs on pages 16-47 published with permission of the contributors. Photo credits: Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU) p 50; Seow Yuxin pp 12, 48, 55, 58, 94, 121; Joe Chua p 56; Liu Zhi Ying p 56; Valencia Anne Lim p 62; Adeline Chia pp 12, 48, 58, 84, 94, 102, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113; Cynthia Lee p 102, Eugene Law p 116; Lim Qian Tong p 116; Seow Wee Beng p 123
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EDITORIAL TEAM lim yin hwee Chief Editor
adeline chia
cynthia lee
eugene law
seow wee beng
Editor
Editor
Editor Editor
CONTRIBUTORS ong yijiang
Contributing Writer
tan junqi
valencia anne lim
Contributing Writer
foo siyun
Contributing Writer
seow yuxin
Contributing Writer
wu mengyu
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Contributing Writer
eileen tan
Contributing Writer
ng yew chong
Contributing Writer
eo siang ee
Contributing Writer
Contributing Writer
tan ming jiang
lim qian tong
Contributing Writer
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wee zhuan kai
Contributing Writer
Photography
Foreword It is my great pleasure to present the debut of the coffee table book by Shanghai House of Entrepreneurs
(SHEN). This yearbook is a fantastic way to sum up the journeys that each of us had over the past year.
My objective for SHEN when I undertook the role to head the organization is to build a team with
strong friendships among one another and at the same time build the entrepreneurial spirit within each of
us. I believe that with meaningful activities involving the active participation of the members, I will be able to achieve my target for SHEN.
As the 20th President of SHEN, I am delighted to see the outstanding accomplishments that the 20th
batch has achieved over the past 6 months. I believe every one of us has gained new perspectives and learnt a lot from SHEN’s activities.
This year, one major project which SHEN is proud to present is this coffee table book in your hands now.
The first publication by any NUS Overseas College batch, it is not only a comprehensive showcase of our
invaluable experiences in Shanghai but also an illustration of the entrepreneurial skill that SHEN members
possess. A collective effort of the 20th SHEN, the book presents content that has been contributed by each member in this batch.
I extend my thanks and appreciation to our valued partners which have been growing over the years, our
active alumni, and members of SHEN. I have also had great support from my team throughout my term, achieving exceptional results and also set an exemplar for the incoming batches of SHEN members. I hope you will enjoy reading the rest of the book!
seow wee beng
shanghai house of entrepreneurs
president - 20th shen
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A Year’s Stories From our perspective, NOC Shanghai is more than just the internship, courses, or travel destinations.
It’s all of the above, as well as the less publicized parts—engaging the community, experiencing the joys and pains of growing up, seeing the good and bad of Chinese society, eating, shopping, partying, and thinking in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
Join us as we recount a year in China, a year’s worth of stories; take an inside look at what it’s like to
work in a Chinese start-up; we’ve worked in a dessert bar, a golf course, a real-estate consultancy company, a supply-chain consulting firm, and more (pages 16-47). Outside of work, we’re the Shanghai House of
Entrepreneurs (SHEN). We’ve met with some interesting personalities (page 50), travelled to Beijing to visit companies in their thriving tech start-up community (page 54), and learnt much more about the business and cultural environment in Shanghai.
We’re a well-travelled batch. On average, we have each travelled to 10 destinations. Read about what travel
means to us (page 60), and join us as we wander around Yunnan, Beijing, Huangshan, and the Maldives. Finally, explore cosmopolitan Shanghai with us—see how we spend our weekends and weeknights (pages
96 and 118), where the best shopping is (page 116), and how the special people we’ve met here have helped make this place a home (page 118 and 120).
As we return to Singapore, memories of this year might sparkle and fade, just like the pages of this
book. But one thing is certain—through our experiences with the unfamiliar and the strange, each of us has grown, our world expanded. May we continue to embrace the world with a smile and an open mind.
lim yin hwee
chief editor
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Contents
NUS COLLEGE IN CHINA 10 nus overseas colleges— an introduction
HOW’S WORK? 14 what my mentor says Eugene Law
16 internship profiles NOC Shanghai Batch 20
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SHANGHAI HOUSE OF ENTREPRENEURS 50 widening the circle Tan Junqi
54 let’s go to beijing! Eugene Law
56 kampung spirit Adeline Chia
OH, THE PLACES YOU’LL GO! 60 our travel lens
Valencia Anne Lim, Foo Siyun,
Tan Ming Jiang, Wee Zhuan Kai
66 waking up in yunnan Lim Yin Hwee
76 impressions of beijing Ong Yijiang
84 i left my heart in the maldives Adeline Chia
86 a golden week in huangshan Seow Wee Beng
AFTER HOURS 96 sunday mornings Lim Yin Hwee
128 acknowledgments The Editorial Team
102 bread busters Adeline Chia
106 a quiet space Adeline Chia
116 the best shopping in china Foo Siyun
118 after hours Ong Yijiang
120 a new world
Seow Yuxin, Ong Yijiang, Seow Wee Beng
124 this family Seow Yuxin
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NUS Overseas Colleges The NUS Overseas College (NOC) program in Shanghai is
industries, acquainted themselves with the dynamic Chinese
Singapore (NUS) undergraduates an opportunity to learn outside
Chinese culture and language. In addition, numerous events that
a highly innovative program which gives National University of
the classroom through startup internships, international immer
sion and entrepreneurship experience.. Coming from various faculties in NUS, students selected for the Shanghai program have a common entrepreneurial drive, interested in immersing
themselves in the exciting business and cultural environment
business environment, and gained a better understanding of take place within the active startup community in Shanghai offer students a chance to interact with successful business owners
in Shanghai, many of whom are keen to share their ideas and invaluable experiences with the students.
A related program, NUS College in Beijing, offers similar
in Shanghai, one of the most vibrant cities in Asia. Here, they
opportunities for NUS students to experience working in the
while taking entrepreneurship-related courses jointly organized
entrepreneurship environment, boasting many exciting and
undergo a one-year internship with Shanghai-based companies by NUS and Fudan University.
NOC’s partner internship companies in Shanghai span
a wide range of industries, including real estate, consultancy, manufacturing, hospitality, and marketing. These partner companies have given tremendous support to the interns— under the excellent mentorship of founders and leaders in the
companies, the students have gained extensive knowledge of these
cosmopolitan city. Beijing has attracted and groomed a strong
successful start-ups in recent years. The NUS College in Beijing offers not only an opportunity to intern in start-ups ranging from
venture capital, finance, consultancy and technology sectors, but
also a chance to study in one of China’s top universities, Tsinghua University.
For more information on NUS Overseas Colleges, please visit
http://www.overseas.nus.edu.sg/.
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how’s work?
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What My Mentor Says What do you think of NOC interns? How has he or she contributed to your company? What’s it like to be a mentor? These are some questions we’ve always wondered about, but might never have asked - until now. Hear what our mentors have to say. compiled by eugene law
joceline wong
roger foo
daniel he
associate director
general manager
managing director
vestian global
intern: seow wee beng
sheshan international golf club intern: lim yin hwee
de global limited
intern: wee zhuan kai
“Bilingual and with excellent communication
“I’ve always believed that the intern and his
“It is incredible that we’ve been working with
with landlords...His professionalism and ability
relationship, rather only one party looking at the
and witnessed DEG evolve from a task-and-
skills, Wee Beng was able to communicate fluently to submit reports on time was a great support
to the team… we definitely welcome the NOC
program wherein it creates a platform for our new
generation to be exposed to this vibrant economy.”
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mentor and company have a mutually beneficial other with gratitude. I’ve mentored 15 NOC interns to date and each has had something
interesting and helpful to offer to Sheshan.”
NOC for almost 10 years. I think it has helped operation-oriented company to an innovation-
and-management-oriented organization. I hope this program will continue to grow.”
kevin yang
asit gupta & sina farzaneh
dennis teo
program manager
founders
executive director
chinanetcloud
intern: tan junqi
“NOC students are smart, dedicated, and play a key roles to contribute to the bottom line.”
advocacy asia
intern: wu mengyu “Meng Yu has helped us deliver marketing
campaigns worth half a million RMB.... she’s been
a prime example to others on how to mix the right
waypointe management consulting intern: eugene law
“The ‘Forest Gump’ of all interns, he came, he saw & he conquered!”
level of playfulness and thoughtfulness at work. ... wish we had more Meng Yu’s!”
brendon & kim
wendy wang
takako yoshikawa
ceo & chief marketing officer
sales assistant
director of professional services
curves
interns: tan ming jiang & foo siyun
chinanetcloud intern: valencia anne lim
“Our interns are immediately thrust into
“你们的项目降低了云络科技的人员流动率，
business analysis, promotional marketing &
小公司，Valencia 学会根据事件的轻重缓急，
the deep end and take on a variety of challenges
己的想法，帮助公司发展！”
important, non-critical tasks, covering strategic
提高了工作效率，对我们帮助很大…在我们的
product design…they are equipped to jump in
合理安排很多细小的工作，积极和老板沟通自
gravity group asia
intern: seow yuxin
“... It is as though the interns are like our full-
grown analysts/employees........Sometimes I am
still very amazed at how they are still in University given the level of maturity they display.”
that directly impact top and bottom line of our business...”
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A Different Look at Advertising Sharing the challenges and insights from working in a Chinese media and marketing communications company. words by adeline chia, intern at carat china
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uring my internship in Carat China, a media and marketing communications company under Aegis Media, I was assigned to the Digital Department where I work on social media advertising.
It was a rather difficult start to the job familiarizing myself with the different social media platforms in China such as Sina Weibo,
WeChat, and Douban. While reading through the posts and finding out the types of content and advertising styles that will appeal to
the locals in China, I found myself stuck so many times, overwhelmed by the Chinese characters and internet language in China that I could not comprehend. Thankfully, my colleagues were extremely helpful in this area, explaining the common online phrases that the locals love to use in China so I did not take too long to get over this phase!
My workplace is full of interesting characters. Just to name a few, we have a superb designer who always produces work that
fascinates the clients, a 省钱王* who specializes in collection of big data and statistics (he knows exactly where to get all the best online deals and is a number one when it comes to 秒杀* on the e-commerce sites) and an extremely witty boss who can come out with impressive ideas on the spot during client meetings.
Over the course of almost seven and a half months, I bagged many valuable experiences at work. I would not dare to say that I am
good at planning campaigns because the online environment is ever-changing, and the unison of internet users can be scary at times. However, I can say that I definitely look at advertising in a different light now.
Among the many advertisements I have come across so far, my favorite advertisement comes from Coca-Cola. I like Coca-Cola’s
consistency in their advertisements globally. They are simple but close to heart, all the time. To me, Coca-cola captures the essence of advertising. Many advertisements had been too profit-focused and in the process, brands forgot to convey the message behind their products to the consumers. Coca-Cola is different—in all of its advertisements, you will always be able to clearly vision the message
behind its product and that is to share happiness. Perhaps this is the reason why I am addicted to the drink—it always makes me feel that I can share that bottle of happiness with someone. Are you starting to watch Coca-Cola’s ads now? *省钱王: Super-saver
*秒杀: snatched up within seconds
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Thinking About Daisies And Stars A quotidian life of self-discovery, growth, and much thinking about absolutely everything and anything. words by cynthia lee, intern at strip & browhaus
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eaving up my entire experience in Shanghai, of work and life: Many of you may have heard of Strip & Browhaus, a well-known beauty brand among many sophisticated ladies in Singapore. It’s where one gets a Brazilian wax prior a beach visit and where
office ladies shape their brows, coming and going in a jiffy. I was really thrilled to join as a marketing and operations intern, picturing myself taking part in the makings of their vibrant graphics and immersing in their creative brand concept.
To sum up what I do at work will not be any different from anyone who has experienced the working life. Work is work—we handled
projects, met clients, and monitored social media platforms. I had the privilege of enjoying small perks being in such a fascinating
company with waxing sessions, brow shaping, and Lash in Bloom extensions. What’s most rewarding is that I bonded with my company, even travelling to the Philippines together having lots of fun.
As an intern, I needed to accept the fact that tasks will be passed on to you only if you gained trust of others; if you screw up,
prepare to put in double the effort to rectify the mistake and build up the trust from scratch again. It was a never-ending process as the internship progressed. My daily tasks and projects increased exponentially and so did my stress level. But one cannot do without the other to achieve greater satisfaction and knowledge. Ultimately, I’m proud to be part of the team that created an environment for customers to sense the quirkiness and fun essence of our brand.
I’ve learnt lessons that school cannot provide through faults and falls I’ve been through at work: skills of meticulousness, styles of
communication, and the domino effect that every single action and decision affects everybody in this “ecosystem” that we are in.
I’ve learnt lessons about myself: the faults I possess, the realization of how ignorant I am about the world and the infinite number
of things I don’t know. I spent more time this year than I had in my life proactively learning new things, from the Internet, friends and colleagues, constantly observing what I can learn from anybody because not one individual have nothing for you to learn from.
I’m proud to have had four mentors enlightening me throughout my internship. Thanks BJ, for giving me many opportunities to
learn from you even when it’s my first job and have lots to catch up on, Gloria for your patience, for playing with me, and teaching me how to communicate with people, Sisi for being the one I can always go to when in trouble because you’re a wonderwoman who can solve anything in China, and lastly Lynn! For always being there like my mother, I’ve really learnt a lot from you even if it’s not very visible but I’m always processing what you’ve taught and slowly changing. Strip really feels more like a family than a company.
My NOC experience allowed me to do, reflect and think about absolutely everything and anything, alone. I enjoyed how it is like
being on my own and being independent, away from where comfort is, away from being able to share your troubles and thoughts with anybody anytime.
A quotidian life I would say, of self-discovery, growth and much thinking about daisies and stars.
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Hustling in Shanghai My main lesson from NOC? Learning extends beyond the classroom. Work hard, play hard. words by eo siang ee, intern at hao ling international
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came on NOC because I wanted something more than just academics. Majoring in Economics, I always thought that I would work
in an investment bank, or in a consultancy firm. But spending a year away from home, working in a foreign startup, and studying
modules in a prestigious university to fulfill modular credits at the same time sounded like too good an opportunity to pass up. Moreover, being your own boss (in the future) is a very appealing prospect. I chose Shanghai because while foreign, it is still close to home.
I am glad that the experience has been really remarkable—I am not disappointed at all. I like to think that schools prepare students
for the workforce by imparting the necessary hard skills. And very naturally, we are expected to be adept at our core competences at work. But having said that, work is not the end. Work continues where school has left off, and adds value to the individual: one, in soft skills and people skills; two, in cultural and situational awareness; third, in making us appreciate learning for learning’s sake.
I interned at Hao Ling Inc., a fledging technology startup where people have to be proactive in taking initiative. Everyone from
employer to intern has something new to learn and apply everyday. The team is small and almost like a family. We all work for the common good, always encouraging one another.
Shanghai is just like Singapore: cosmopolitan, many Chinese, a sprawling urban city. The city is also home to 10,000 over fellow
working Singaporeans. I met some of my closer friends in Shanghai through weekly Friday evening cell group sessions; where I met folks from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines, California and of course, Singapore.
Like Singapore, the business community In Shanghai is also strong. I had the privilege of meeting folks at Business China Youth
Chapter (BCYC), the Singapore government-linked organization to develop interest in China among the youths of Singapore. Some of my batch mates also made business connections via Singapore Shanghai Business Association (SSBA), which many of us are also members of.
I am also thankful for the opportunities to travel around China, visiting places of interest and scenic places which have really made
me appreciate China as an ancient civilization. I have been lucky to link up with fellow Chinese NUS schoolmates who had returned to
their own provinces during the winter and summer break. Oh! And don’t miss out also on traveling with your colleagues. I got to know their cheerful side when I travelled to Pu Tuo mountain with them over the Qing Ming festival. It was a memorable experience.
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More Than a Waitressing Job Hi, I’m a 服务员 at hoF. But that’s just part of my job. words by eileen tan, intern at house of flour
Many people ask me why I chose to intern at hoF and if ‘waitressing’ constitutes half of the job requirement. And my answer to it
is: yes, half - because that’s not all.
Let me start with something you guys are familiar with. I’ve asked for support so many times during French Week, European Week,
and so on, that I soon had people asking me, “So what ‘week’ is it next?”
hoF has been involved in many marketing events like the above-mentioned, and for the first time this year, we took part in the
Strawberry Music Festival. It’s a good thing that my boss, Brian, always trusts his interns, so we get to call the shots. Of course, choices come with consequences. That was the first thing that introduced me to hoF’s culture. Brian encourages his interns to make decisions and bear the consequences. “There is no right or wrong decision,” he always says. You just have to decide fast and stick through it. That is something which, at the later part of my internship, I realized to be a valuable leadership trait.
There were times when Brian split the interns and pitted us against each other, for instance, to come up with the best idea. At times,
we were required to work together, after which he would question our opinions of one another. Never underestimate teamwork. I’ve
had people tell me that I suck at working with others. So, the second thing I’ve learnt is: working well with your boss AND your team is crucial.
Brian put my leadership skills to the test when he made me the project manager for the Strawberry Music Festival. The last I
remembered, when I was the class chairperson in secondary four, I led the class to rebellion. Leadership has always been a vague area, unbeknownst to me. Brian has told me that I’m not a good leader, that I could have done things differently—by being tougher, by
pushing for work to be done, by being more decisive and more efficient, and so on. My team challenged my decisions and asked me
about things that I failed to consider. The organizer lashed out at me because of my broken Mandarin. But I was constantly learning. Thankfully, with the guidance of Brian and the support from my team, we breezed through the event (with a few hiccups) and made
profits. What came from Brian on the last day of the event, his ‘Well done’ and ‘Thank You’, told me a part of me has grown, although I
have more to learn going ahead. Another takeaway: the cold hard truths, although the hardest to accept, are the ones that make us grow. Subsequently, I was involved in business expansion projects—preparing proposals to pitch to potential investors, doing press releases
and meeting with media, negotiating with landlords, and working with a programming team to design hoF’s website and to develop an app.
The most important takeaways, however, are the soft skills. hoF has definitely trained me well in that area.
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Understanding Others and Myself
China blew me away right from the start. words by eugene law, intern at waypointe management consulting
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OC allowed me to put myself to test. Working in a startup exposed me to all kind of job scopes. From the primary job that I am tasked to do, I was also assigned to help out with finances, head hunting, organize events and day-to-day job of a secretary! I was
even responsible for fixing electricity in the office! What an experience!
However, it was through such exposure that made me reflect upon myself. Through such experiences, I began to understand my
strengths and weaknesses better. I benefited a lot at Waypointe, occasionally at the expense of my company, because failure is the mother of success. While I may have succeeded in most tasks, I have definitely met quite a number of hiccups along the way.
My mentor Dennis played a vital role in my development as an intern. The trust, patience and encouragement that he provided right
from the start helped me to go a long way. This in turn made me set high expectations for myself. Prior to embarking on my NOC
experience, I would see many interns-to-be like me, looking and scrolling through companies after companies to find the ‘ideal’ one of
their choice. At the same time, I had seniors who affirmed my belief: companies aren’t important, a right mentor is. I fully understand what they meant as my NOC experience comes to a closure. Thank you Dennis for this wondrous experience.
Throughout my 1 year in China, I allowed myself to see things in different perspectives, to immerse in all the different cultures
and ways of life and to go out of my comfort zone. What is a better way to experience China than to be part of it? The takeaways
were amazing. I have begun to relate and understand why certain things are happening in a particular way, most of which were totally incomprehensible initially. This was important as all these insights combined to create a uniquely China experience.
China blew me away right from the start. In this city, the pace of life was much faster than I had imagined and I was playing catch-up
literally every day. Even while on sightseeing, the amount of history and culture to appreciate was way too much for a short weekend travel. I wished I had more time for it but all good things have to come to an end.
China proved to be a rewarding endeavour throughout this year. Guess I’ll be back.
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Steep Learning Curves An internship that is nothing short of a humbling and enriching one. words by foo siyun, intern at curves shanghai
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y internship at Curves has been nothing short of a humbling and enriching one.
My mentors, Brendon and Kim, have been amazing. This is the 3rd year of ongoing partnership with NUS Enterprise, and they
have always believed in the value of interns, and I have been privileged to have been selected for my internship in NOC! I was able to
travel to Taiwan; for a training camp at the beginning of my internship, as well as Hong Kong, for a work trip. I must say that these travel opportunities have broadened my business horizons and have been the springboards of exponential personal growth. The latter
was a very enriching one as it was a massive scale exhibition of various products, and I was so amazed by the sheer number of products there are in the world, and speaking, liaising with exhibitors.
Apart from my role as a marketing associate in the marketing department in my internship, Brendon and Kim also gave me much
autonomy to pursue my interests and posed challenging projects for me to take on in my internships, something I think that is really enriching about my internship so far.
On a personal level, I have been humbled by my internship at Curves, not only through my work, but also my interaction with
colleagues from China, Taiwan, Philippines. Interactions with colleagues from cross-cultural backgrounds have made me develop
stronger interpersonal skills—something which I aim to improve on a day-to-day basis. I am also very grateful for the nurturing environment at work, for colleagues who guide me along and who are always ready to give me valuable words of advice.
With my NOC journey coming to an end, I will truly miss Brendon, Kim, and my colleagues. The internship at Curves had a very
large part in contributing to this life-changing journey I had.
Thank you, Brendon and Kim, for giving me this opportunity to intern at Curves!
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Building Confidence Easing into an undefined role, I grew in ways I never thought possible. words by lim yin hwee, intern at sheshan international golf club
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ever have I ever had a mentor who would tell me, “You can propose anything.” Starting my internship at Sheshan Golf Club, it
seemed to me that my job scope was like the workplace itself—vast and seemingly undefined. At the beginning, I was bewildered,
unable to function unless I knew the scope and limits of my job.
From daily conversations with my mentor, Roger, I gleaned a clearer picture. Roger constantly urges his interns to share ideas on how
things at the Club can be improved. Unlike staff with fixed designations, my role is fluid—I have more freedom to support other departments. In this year, I did many new things – designing, editing a magazine, hosting guests, writing in different styles, writing a cash-flow
statement... I learnt the language of Golf, Business, and the local Chinese. I discovered my knack for designing and writing, and grew
comfortable with the idea that I could be creative. I confirmed that I didn’t like spreadsheets. A job without limitations meant that I had to renegotiate my own identity. I’m a law student, yes, but I can do more than study the law.
Daunting at first, Roger’s exhortation that I could propose anything was incredibly empowering - on hindsight, I was limiting myself
by simply focusing on doing well at tasks I received. After talking to colleagues and observing the company, I found opportunities to share my suggestions with Roger. What a surprise that he would agree that something should be done, and that I would see it through!
This encouraged me to look past simply executing tasks, and instead to develop a questioning mind—when you own something, you start to think harder—what are our objectives? Is there a better way to do this? Was anything overlooked?
Roger once remarked that I should be more confident, and I impulsively rejected this—I have a healthy level of self-confidence, I
reassured myself. But over these months, my perception of my abilities has changed. I used to take on things only if I was sure that I
could do well. In an environment that embraces experimentation and failure, I have become bolder, more creative. Even if I do badly,
I learn something by trying. This no-loss attitude influenced my personal endeavours too—I take more time to write and practise
photography, built two websites to test business ideas for our New Venture Creation module, and started a travel blog (the perfect
way to practise these fledgling skills). So, I did have room to grow: I gained confidence and an awareness of my self-limiting tendency. Consciously counteracting this tendency to hold back, I am giving myself a chance to test the limits of my interest and abilities.
One evening, hurtling homeward in Roger’s car, Roger said something memorable: “Some people like power; they want to look
important,” and he leaned in, gesturing emphatically, “I want to build a great team.”
“If my team does a good job, I look good”, he said. And he does. I am grateful for a mentor who nurtures and values his staff. It
makes all the difference.
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New Perspectives and Opportunities Broadening my horizons during my year in Shanghai. words by tan ming jiang, intern at curves shanghai
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he Shanghai NUS Overseas College Programme has been a life-changing experience, much more than just an overseas internship
and exchange programme. The main takeaway for me is the paradigm shift in my perspective of life and the shaping of personal
values through my mentors. Looking at an issue from multiple angles, appreciating and understanding constraints, yet constantly challenging the status quo was a wonderful process.
Interning in a small company yet being able to communicate and work directly with my bosses, taught me some very good life lessons
which will stay with me for a very long time. Sitting in at their meetings, observing the way they treat people, constantly exploring
opportunities and striking a balance with family life, was inspiring and they have become my role models. Focus and diversification simultaneously, with a frame of mind that can zoom in and out at the next moment to achieve desired outcomes, were great learning points for me.
The opportunity to meet with business owners, CEOs and people from many other places is something that I cherish very much.
Hearing their experiences in life also shaped my own perspectives on issues and realizing that there are many paths in life possible renewed my confidence for my future. Gradually discovering new options and possible opportunities excite me at every stage. Having
more exposure with an open mind, meeting new people, and learning constantly broadened my horizons about the jobs that exist and also those which have not existed yet.
Having studied at Fudan allowed me to experience the Chinese education system and I am grateful to have the majority of my
education journey in Singapore. Nonetheless, making friends from different cultures and countries allowed me to be exposed to the many other cultures in the world and their perspective of China. Appreciate Brendon and Kim’s kind gestures supporting us throughout the semester!
Approaching challenges through rational and logical ways, excluding emotional thoughts were great learnings that took place. Being
able to have meaningful conversations with my bosses on current and future personal issues, gave me new insights in personal growth. I
am thankful to my bosses, Brendon and Kim, for grooming us, and sending us on overseas work trips to gain exposure, at their expense! Their sincerity, generosity and kindness will always be remembered! It has been a life-changing year with them!
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A Different eCommerce Experience Lessons from interning at an e-marketplace platform, trading parts both in the air and on the sea. words by ethan ng, intern at inventory locator service
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LS, also known as Inventory Locator Service, is a subsidiary company of Boeing. It is an American company that started the first e-Marketplace for aviation, marine and defense industries, an online trading platform for matching both buyers and sellers
without interfering in any of their transactions. My batchmates like to call ILS as “I Love Shanghai” or “I Love Singapore”. Its main
Headquarters is in Memphis, USA. It has global offices in Frankfurt, London, Paris, Dubai, Istanbul, New Delhi and Shanghai. As the Asian representative, the areas I covered are China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, North Korea and Bhutan.
My day to day tasks involve checking company emails to follow up any potential leads and sometimes answering some of the clients’
queries. I would also check for any overdue payments and remind clients to clear the payment before the deadline. Usually I would need
to pay our leads a visit with my mentor if they decide to use our trial account. During the visit, my mentor would demonstrate all the functions of ILS website, each one’s main purpose, and how they can benefit the clients. On a side job, I would assist my colleagues in Allied eParts Pte Ltd in doing some simple translation and simple checks on their emails’ sentence structures.
Last year, I had the opportunity to attend the 17th biennial maritime trade fair in Asia - Marintec China 2013, which took place
in Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Shanghai, in December. There were 31 exhibiting companies from countries such as Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, United Kingdom and United States.
As an ILS intern, I had the opportunity to meet both the aviation and marine industry clients in Shanghai. From my experience,
I feel that language is a barrier for making sales. It is very difficult to sell a product to someone when you are not confident of communicating in the same frequency due to differences in language, accent and culture.
After months of experiences in the aviation and marine industries, I had gained exposure to the many names and types of the spare
parts traded on the platform. I might probably be tempted to develop a virtual online trading game based on the industry or use some of it as contents for my future game development.
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The MTS Family
The staff at MTS-Consulting can be likened to a small, tight-knit family. words by ong yijiang, intern at mts-consulting
T
he greatest takeaway from my time at MTS-Consulting concerns the general work environment of what I believe is a close
representation of the startup culture. In Singapore, where the workplace in large corporations can be simply described with the
word “pressure”, I feel that after working at MTS-Consulting for a year, the informal camaraderie that I had maintained between
my colleagues is something I probably will not be able to enjoy when I enter the Singapore workforce. As my business development manager Lynn puts it, the staff at MTS-Consulting can be likened to a small, tight-knit family where everyone is particularly concerned
over one another’s well-being, both in the professional and private domain. This amiable environment leads to a relatively stress-free setting when working on fast-paced and demanding tasks that the company is involved in.
Yet, problems could arise from the familiarity amongst co-workers as there is erosion between the private-work boundaries. There
exists a latent potential for private conflicts between two colleagues to spill over into the company’s operations, these tensions could
result in a loss of efficiency and productivity. Although such occurrences have not transpired during my internship thus far, many steps are taken to prevent them, especially in the form of my mentor Gina, who actively promotes frank discussions among peers in the workplace.
In my opinion, the working environment as illustrated above is inevitable in a small start up, or in this case, a small affiliate. Since
the office staff size is small and everyone’s role is fluid, interactions with co-workers generally result in stronger, positive and warmer relationships. Conversely, the lack of communication and personal understanding of one another’s personality could result in friction and tension when encountering workplace conflicts; instead of working together to solve a given problem, one could blame the other for
causing the problem. Similarly, one cannot neglect the invaluable flexibility which this kind of informal relationship entails, a flexibility
which is necessary especially since projects come and go regularly and colleagues must be ready to pick up the slack for their peers on other ongoing projects. This is highly radical as compared to the stiflingly rigid division of labour as seen in the Singapore workplace culture, one which truly appeals to me.
My time with MTS-Consulting has been an enlightening and fulfilling one. Experiencing a lifestyle which is removed from my
Singaporean one has given me much pleasure and joy in the past year, and is further enhanced by the unique individuals I have met
along the way. Professional experience aside, I truly believe that I have developed into a better person who is better equipped to tackle oncoming challenges in the future with greater veracity and tenacity.
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Life at a Digital Media Venture Studio With an open mind, I found surprises at every corner of my journey. words by seow yuxin, intern at dfr asia
W
atching loads of Youtube videos at work until you become so sick of them sounds like a plan to you? Welcome to the world of an intern in a digital entertainment advisory firm! That was exactly what I did for a client of ours that was planning to develop
a video streaming platform for the China market.
My internship company, Gravity, is a digital entertainment advisory firm under the digital media and entertainment venture studio,
DFR. It is very interesting startup in a flourishing industry, yet one that is not as mainstream in Singapore.
During my one year here, I witnessed a lot of developments internally and externally. The digital arena is developing very rapidly all
over the world and China is undoubtedly evolving along. With its large market size, it is also easily a FDI magnet globally. This industry is bustling with so much activity; it never fails to excite me as I attended events such as DemoChina and Global Mobile Internet
Conference. Our clients were also from all walks of life (A QR code company, an online video streaming platform and even BeyoncĂŠ), exposing us to many aspects in the digital entertainment arena.
Internally, I had witnessed the company grow, change in its management and experienced the different kinds of leaderships along
with the changes in company direction. I had also been a part of the pitching, strategizing and execution of the projects, even helping
to conclude one. Through it all, I had forged strong bonds with my mentors and colleagues as I learnt more about the industry, myself, and gained new work-related skills.
In a blink of an eye, this one-year flew by all too quickly. A great experience and exposure for me, I have come a long way from being
apprehensive about my year here to loving and treasuring every second of it. With an open mind, I had found surprises at every corner of my journey. With that I would like to end with some shout-outs to my mentors:
Takako: Thank you for your patience, guidance, and always brightening the day with your smile. I will miss you! Sherman: Thank you for all your life advises and being so approachable. Good luck in your new venture! Tiffany: Thank you COO for ensuring good food for lunch. All the best for your journey in USA!
Jerry: Thank you for being such a nice and approachable colleague, my teacher in design and Adobe. All the best for your masters! Pete: Thank you for your guidance and the trust you placed in Glenn and me. Welcome to Gravity again! Last but not least,
Glenn: fellow intern, thanks for all the support and things you taught me! Intern of the year award goes to you. #salute
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Getting Out Of My Comfort Zone Taking a peek into the real estate industry in China. words by seow wee beng, intern at vestian global
A
s an economics major who has little knowledge about the real estate industry, I took a first step out of my comfort zone when I chose Vestian, a real estate and project management firm, as my internship company. Through the Skype interview I had in May
2013 with my mentor Joceline, I knew I would be doing things which I have limited or no experience in. Nevertheless, I decided to grab the chance and accept the offer of interning in Vestian. Embarking on this NOC journey with Vestian has been a great decision and a fruitful one year spent.
I have picked up knowledge which I didn’t think I would have picked up if not for Vestian. Take for example, I undertook a project
to assist the team to debut an e-newsletter as a marketing tool for the company. While working on the project, I needed to do extensive
research on the real estate industry and at the same time, pick up marketing and designing skills. I worked on numerous drafts and progressed from traditional methods to the unfamiliar—starting with reporting using Microsoft Word documents, streamlining them
into PowerPoint slides, then finally grasping the technical skill of designing professional-looking collateral using professional design software. I would like to thank Joceline who has given me the platform and opportunity to keep trying and finally achieve success in this project.
Working in a small team, I also learnt to better interact with my colleagues and be a better team player. Although I do not have
any difficulties talking to people, I realized the importance of effective communication through my time in Vestian. I remembered something memorable my boss, Clarence once said to me: what you take away from an internship depends entirely on yourself, and there is no better way to learn other than by asking.
Being part of the Vestian family is definitely the key highlight of my NOC experience over the past year. More than picking up
hard and soft skills on the job, I had a lot of fun going to work. Hearing the familiar words “lah”, “loh” and the Hokkien words in
conversations with my colleagues, I would sometimes be mistaken that I am back in Singapore. With a dart-board in my boss’s office, card-dealing machine with poker chips hidden in a drawer somewhere in the office and a notice board keeping track of World Cup predictions, one can imagine the amount of entertainment that our company share. We don’t only work hard, we also play hard!
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Overcoming Challenges, Being Resourceful My main takeaways from being a Project Manager for a year. words by tan junqi, intern at chinanetcloud
I
t has been an enjoyable year in Shanghai since I came and started working in ChinaNetCloud. While the learning curve was very steep for a non-technical student like me in the beginning, I managed to master the skills and techniques required for the job thanks
to the patience and all the help I got from my mentor and colleagues. The company is now transitioning from a start-up into a SME, and there are many changes and restructuring going on. There are many new things to be learnt as my roles and responsibilities continue to evolve and expand during the duration of my internship.
My greatest takeaway from my internship is resource management. Being a project manager meant that one have to manage their
project schedule, plan the engineers’ schedule well and manage customer relations and expectations. Since resources are always scarce
and highly demanded, communication within the team on the engineers’ schedule is very crucial to meeting the deadlines of one’s project.
Making tough decisions and managing the consequences are also a norm for my role. I would have to weigh the priorities of each
task and decide on the duration of the tasks. Sometimes when we make mistakes or if the customers are too demanding, we have to communicate to them on our difficulties or even apologize for the delays.
Uncertainties at work are what make my internship so exciting. Under resource management, time management also plays an
important role, since we may be dragged into emergencies or meetings at any time of the day. I realise that tracking my to do list early in the morning helps me to better manage my time and allow for buffer in case of any unforeseen circumstances (which usually tends to
happen after 5pm). Since I am a mono-tasker, having a checklist allows me to check off my work one by one and this gives me a great sense of accomplishment.
The skills that I picked up over the year are highly transferable between industries and will be useful for my future endeavours. I
believe that we should always plan ahead, but we have to be open to changes and be resilient as things would never ever go the way we want. I am here to test my limits and face tough challenges; I believe that my experience here has prepared me better for the complexity of issues and challenges faced in the current and future global economy.
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A Journey Towards SelfUnderstanding Not one to romanticise my NOC experience, I have gained work skills and a truer understanding of myself. words by valencia anne lim, intern at chinanetcloud
I
sn’t it a tough question to answer, when people ask you how your NOC journey had been? It’s definitely not a one lined answer for me, and through the months I had been trying to figure out the best way to answer this question.
In school we learnt about critical moments that significantly alter or shape one’s life. During the lead up to our departure from
Singapore, I had already prepared myself for a “life-changing” journey, a conveniently used adjective that was popular among the NOC alumni.
Personally, NOC had been a thorough journey of self-discovery. Through my internship, I discovered many aspects of myself that I
otherwise would not have known. Some are positive, though some are not. I attribute these discoveries to the fact that this internship is my first “real job”, but also my first time being given responsibilities in a physically foreign environment that transcends those that a tourist normally holds.
Early in our days in Shanghai, our batch attended an in-convo session with Kenneth Chan, CEO of McDonald’s Greater China as
the host. He advised that for whatever industry that we choose to build our career in future, it is important that we have a strong sense
of self-identity. I took this advice along with me in my internship and I subsequently realized its importance not only in the workplace but also in life.
My company, ChinaNetCloud, had also taught me invaluable lessons of the importance of accountability not only to one’s boss(es),
team mates but also to oneself. My mentors, Sunny and Wendy, are fine examples of people who take extreme pride in their work and have inspired me to care for my peers and subordinates not only in the capacity as colleagues but also as human beings.
In conversations and in thoughts, I try not to romanticize Shanghai, as I hope to remember my experience in its most raw form. Yet,
I sincerely feel that NOC had played a critical role in helping me solidify understandings of myself, guided me to certain career paths and helped me venture beyond my cvomfort zone.
I do believe that it is not an exaggeration to say that NOC had changed my perceptions on life and future career, and I believe that
it is a critical journey in my life. Graduation and entering the working world do not seem that scary anymore.
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A Life-Long Learning Journey
A closer look at China’s manufacturing economy. words by wee zhuan kai, intern at de global
I
chose to do my internship with DE Global Ltd as I wanted to understand more about China’s manufacturing economy. DE Global
offered the opportunity and exposure through factory visits and inspections. More than just understanding the manufacturing
economy, I also witnessed and experienced the ”Chinese way” of doing business- negotiations, personal relations, face (面子)
My first visit out of Shanghai was with my senior and colleague for goods inspection (出差). As I rode the high speed rail, I was
fascinated by the sheer number of factories manufacturing different products from home appliances to industrial machineries.
At the factory, I learnt hard and soft skills which were not taught in classrooms. With my senior and the technicians, I assembled
a gardening equipment from its pre-assembled stage and learnt the technical terms in Mandarin alongside. I was taught the flow of
hydraulics, how mechanics worked under different temperatures, and the importance of seemingly small and insignificant accessories. I offered to help assemble the machine, which was a good move. The technicians later revealed that they detested people who simply stood and watch. They spoke more to me about my family and interest, which brings me to the section on soft skills.
Throughout my factory visits, I came to understand that the topic “family” brings people together, especially children. People warm
up to you when they speak about their aspirations for their children, and how times have changed. During one of the dinners hosted by the factory management, one of the directors taught me a lesson on drinking Chinese white wine (白酒). Dinner is a good time for
parties to unwind and to appreciate each other for the efforts made, especially when rushing an urgent project. Toasting wine to the other party reflects your humility and appreciation. Receiving the wine toast reflects your magnanimous personality.
In addition to understanding the manufacturing economy, DE Global provided me with the opportunity to learn about the nutritional
supplement market. MEWE is a joint-venture between DE Global and a Taiwanese partner, retailing nutritional supplements from the United States.
I was brought into the new team that was exploring the medical tourism and medical nutritional therapy market. Through research, I
came to understand more about the medical tourism market in Asian countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, and
Japan. Additionally, I read journal articles on medical nutritional therapy that involve the use of nutrition supplements to supplement pharmacology to combat chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and chronic kidney disease.
In conclusion, DE Global provided me with endless opportunities to learn, grow, and persevere when the going gets tough.
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The Magic of NOC
“There is a kind of magicness about going far away and then coming back all changed” –Kate Douglas Wiggin words by wu mengyu, intern at advocacy
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t was a warm, sticky and uncomfortable day like any other day in Singapore. As I sat at the NOC office, looking at the contract laid out in front of me, I suddenly got very scared. It dawned on me that I was going to sign one year of my life away to NOC, in a country
that is known for its pollution and food-safety issues.
I am the kind of girl who has a huge, bizarre love for pencils. I like to know that if I make a mistake, I can erase it easily. And at that
point of time, when I had to sign the papers in my black-inked pen, the fear that it was a wrong decision to make engulfed me. One whole year of my university life doing an internship that I may or may not enjoy, earning peanuts, what if I learn nothing, hate the city and the worst of all, have to go through all that away from my family and friends, ALL ALONE! A total nightmare!!
Now, one year on. I can’t believe how right this decision was, and how much NOC has impacted my life. It was a magical year and
a magical experience.
The magic comes from NCSH20, for being such an awesome bunch of people. My café buddies, travel buddies, food buddies, NVC
group mates, and Yuxin, my super understanding roommate. You guys are my home away from home, my comfort from the buzz of unfamiliarity. I can’t imagine how lost I would be if not for you guys.
The magic comes from Advocacy, for giving me the chance to grow and learn, as well as providing me with awesome opportunities
and mentorship. It has been a great honor to work in a marketing agency that has a philosophy I believe in and respect. I am looking forward to the day where the marketing landscape is changed by Advocacy! The guidance of Sina and Charles will continue to impact my life, and help me become a better person. And Sally’s friendship and warmth will be something I miss dearly.
The magic comes from being in Shanghai, the Paris of the East. It provided me the warmth of friends from Fudan, a peek into
wonderful China, and amazing encounters with other Singaporeans whom I would not have the chance to meet otherwise.
The magic is this amazing opportunity to immerse myself here, to learn not only entrepreneurship like the programme promised, but
also so much more, about the city, about people, about myself, and about life. I bring home not only bags of #glorioustaobao loot but also professionalism, both hard and soft skills, experience, knowledge, new way to seeing things and ever-lasting friendship and memories.
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shen Established on 9th August 2004, Shanghai House of Entrepreneurs, NUS (SHEN) is a youth organization that seeks to raise the level of interest
in business and entrepreneurship amongst Singaporeans and Chinese in
Shanghai. SHEN consists of National University of Singapore undergraduates who are under the NUS Overseas College programme in Shanghai. http://www.shentrepreneur.org/
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Widening The Circle “Stretch the circle wider” is a philosophy which I live by. I have always hoped to be able to expand my friendship and network globally, and though this NOC experience, I was able to accomplish exactly that. words by tan junqi & photographs by lim yin hwee
A
s a people-oriented person, I love working with people and I treat everyone with sincerity and
integrity. Given our busy schedules and limited time in China, taking time off to visit companies,
conventions and workshops provided us with valuable insights as we get to understand the viewpoints of the locals and expats and also exchange ideas through sharing sessions.
What you know is important, but who you know is more important. Citing from an article, the
reason why ‘work’ is included in the word “networking”, is because it is an ongoing procewss that requires
continuous effort, and not something we can passively sit back and not worry about. I managed to hit it off with the locals and learnt a lot from them. My company is also an international company which provided
me with numerous opportunities to work with people from different nationalities. I am not quite there
yet and I must admit that I do encounter difficulties communicating with some of them due to my poor articulations skills (a.k.a. Singlish). Having more opportunities to communicate does help to break down the phobia of approaching a foreigner. Start establishing contacts today, but take ownership in keeping these connections going!
left, top: attending the first singapore speakers series in shanghai featuring mr choo chiau beng, chief executive officer, keppel corporation limited
left, bottom: dialogue session with chuck abbot, regional vice president of starwood hotels & resorts, kindly facilitated by brian tan, founder of house of flour.
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above: company appreciation dinner with noc partner companies
right, top: sharing session with roger foo, general manager of sheshan international golf club
right, bottom: dialogue session with michael chew, vice-president of shanghai singapore business association
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Let’s Go To Beijing! 1 conference, 6 companies, n friends, experiences, and ideas. Over the Chinese Labour day holiday period, SHEN’s Batch 20 travelled to Beijing for our muchanticipated batch field trip. words by eugene law & photographs by lim yin hwee
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O
us interning in Shanghai since we do not have as much exposure to the
unified, is made up of many various cultures. A mere 5-hour train ride from
Our itinerary, which consisted of visiting a variety of companies ranging
from startups to accelerators to MNCs, provided us a rare glimpse into the
buddies from YEAN, the Young Entrepreneurs Association of NUS consisting of the NOC Beijing interns, we were very honoured to be able to make friends
ur trip to Beijing was a fruitful one and a good experience for many of
tech industry as compared to our fellow interns on the Beijing NOC program.
vibrant tech start-up industry in China. Most of these companies are located in Beijing’s 中关村, dubbed China’s Silicon Valley, where the best and brightest in
China’s tech startup community congregate. A few of us also attended the highprofile 2014 Global Mobile Internet Conference held in Beijing over the same
period. In addition, it was a great time for us to see all that China’s political, historical, and cultural centre has to offer.
The key takeaway for most of us, however, was that how China though
Shanghai brings you into another world – apart from getting to meet up with our
with a local Beijing guy and to experience authentic 北方人 hospitality. We left
Beijing with a better understanding of the culture of and relationship between these two 1st tier cities.
companies visited: microsoft ventures accelerator, 3w café and garage café, speakingmax, xiaomi, and sohu.
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top, left: fudan university singaporean student association graduation night top, right: sharing session with singaporean ceos based in shanghai
bottom, left: meet-up with nanyang technological university undergraduates bottom, right: meet-up with noc senior, ronald lesmana
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Kampung Spirit What is Kampung Spirit? In the simplest terms, it means lending a helping hand within your community. In the past, when my parents’ generation still lived in kampungs (attap houses), neighbours looked out for each other and lent each other basic necessities, and their kids played together… words by adeline chia & photographs by lim yin hwee
“A
re you ready for Shanghai? Are you scared? Is there anyone whom you can look for over there? Is your workplace far? Are the people nice?” Prior to departing for Shanghai, these were my family and
friends’ most frequently-asked questions.
Was I scared? Yes and no - scared because I didn’t know what was in store for me and no because I
was prepared to accept whatever came my way. One thing helped – the knowledge that we have seniors in
Shanghai and that there was a nice Singaporean lady in my office who told me to contact her once I arrived. This lady’s name is Angela. To date, I still feel extremely grateful to her for going the extra mile to make
sure that I feel at home in Shanghai despite not knowing me. To be miles away from home, and yet being
able to receive help from a fellow Singaporean is extremely touching. The kindness and help I have received
during my stay in Shanghai began with Angela, but it did not end there. In fact, Angela opened the door for me to see the “Kampung Spirit” that Singaporeans in Shanghai have shown.
Over this year, we have received help in many different ways from Singaporeans in Shanghai - our
seniors from NUS and NOC, our mentors, Singaporean entrepreneurs, the Fudan University Singaporean Student Association (FUSSA), and exchange students from Singapore. Likewise, I’m glad to see that we
have have readily reached out to other Singaporeans - relatives, juniors, fellow undergraduates, and so on offering support whenever we can. There is a strong comfort and sense of kinship that comes from finding people with familiar accents, values, and interests in a foreign land.
We sometimes hear others lament about unfriendly Singaporeans, “kiasee” Singaporeans who only mind
their own business, and so on… I wonder where these views came from. I’m proud to be a Singaporean
and to see this “Kampung Spirit” flourishing here. I believe that around the world, there are also many Singaporean communities extending support to our own people and even to others. If the city you are in
does not have such a community yet, you can always start one and lead the rest in spreading the Kampung Spirit that is representative of us!
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oh, the places you’ll go!
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Our Travel Lens What is the meaning of travel? As we thrust ourselves into the unfamiliar, each of us sees things and people through our unique, personal lens. What changes more—the number of stamps on your passport, your Facebook friend count, your views of the world or of yourself ? Do you go as a visitor, treading lightly and respectfully, or start to imagine yourself as a local who calls—could call—this place home?
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words by valencia anne lim
“I
t is very awkward, this whole atmosphere...” Around us:
did not have a clue about what we could do or see in the vicinity, but
storefront at which twenty-two-year-old Pan sat with her husband,
So my companion, Siyun, picked up her phone and Googled
mountains in the distance, a vast vegetable farm before us, a
and a standing refrigerator beside them, and us: two hungry girls
waiting for our meal at a newly opened rural home restaurant, at the foot of Mount Mogan in Deqing, Zhejiang. To be sure, this wasn’t
for other hostels that were in closer proximity to the mountain. Thankfully, we found one that was more than comfortable.
At the restaurant, Pan seemed pleased that we both devoured
our typical dining establishment—there was no menu, no dishes
every dish with satisfaction. They were surprisingly delicious and
The chef simply looked into the refrigerator and decided on the
learning process where I saw that that sometimes, it is okay to let go
for recommendation, just several raw ingredients in the refrigerator. dishes that he would prepare for us. I felt excited, but unsure.
I’m not the sort of traveler who would miss flights, trains or
buses—I prefer to study maps of the destinations to orientate
myself before and during the trip. I also tend to research on the place beforehand—I feel better equipped with knowledge.
It was a few days to the Qingming break. In haste, Siyun and I
had decided to visit Mount Mogan over the rare long break. This was not my typical trip - with no time to read up on the mountain
the restaurant owners were genuinely nice. This was the start of a
of my doubts and to be more daring in taking risks and giving trust. Like this unexpected meal, there were several instances during the
trip where our lack of preparation led us to chance encounters and new experiences that we might have missed if we closely followed
an itinerary planned to the last detail. The view at the summit was
beautiful, of course, but I believe that these experiences made the trip so much more memorable and beautiful.
This must be my very first trip that I had felt so unprepared and
or on the province, I didn’t know what to expect. On the morning of
uninformed. I don’t think that I am the sort of person who goes
with time so tight that we might have missed our long distance bus!
step out of my comfort zone. On a day visit to Chongming Island
our departure to Deqing, I found myself rushing to the train station, At Deqing, we were hounded by a taxi driver who demanded that
we pay him more. Worse, we reached our pre-booked hostel and realized that it was not on Mount Mogan as we thought it was. We
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found out that we were an hour’s drive away from Mount Mogan.
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with the flow. For me, traveling to Moganshan in this way was a
a few months ago, my batchmate Mengyu had joked about “getting lost and finding ourselves”. Sure enough, on this trip, I got lost, and I believe that it has led to a better understanding of myself.
words by foo siyun
T
raveling is food for the heart, mind and soul, and it
more competitive culture across the country. There are also so
magnificent views, seeing the vastness of the world, and being
handicapped and the elderly. Such a rich-poor divide always hits
has changed me. I am an avid fan of traveling, taking in
bowled over by wonderful and gorgeous views. I was blessed to be able to travel to many places, for work and leisure, an admitted privilege with the costs involved.
Many people hold the stigma that traveling alone as a female
is dangerous and terrifying—think rape, think all sorts of weird incidents, the inability to get around because women have a
poorer sense of direction. The latter applies to me to some extent,
many people begging on the streets, from child beggars to the me in the face as they clamor for money on the dirt-paved streets. How is it possible that we can be from so different backgrounds?
How do they survive? It makes me so grateful for what I have and where I am currently, especially to be educated. At the same
time, I have such mixed feelings when I see my own materialism and voyuerism.
Some of these people I’ve encountered seem to be trapped in
as I got lost many times. However in the process of being lost,
a vicious cycle of poverty. Yet despite this, some of them seem
Through travelling alone, I became more independent and
the street stall aunties at Fudan University who sell pancakes and
I gained many invaluable perspectives on the world and people.
street smart. In Nanjing, I learnt about the first-hand horrific evidences and stories of the Rape of Nanjing in the memorial
museum. I got out of the wrong exit, and had to cross an entire
street to get to the museum. Along the street, there was a deeply emancipated girl, literally all skins and bones, her gaunt arms threatening to give way anytime. With those bloodshot eyes, her survival seemed at peril. My heart broke. It is an image that would always haunt me.
content with where they are—the vegetable seller at the market, rice rolls, and the elderly lady who sold her weighty harvests for a
measly 5 RMB in Moganshan in Hangzhou. They have one thing
in common: they smile while taking orders and interacting with customers, shining even at ordinary jobs. This makes me think: you
can’t always choose the life you lead, but you can always choose
to be happy. Happiness, at the end of the day, is a choice and a state of mind.
After visiting Nanjing, it occurred to me that China has
been the victim of its own history, and its culture can be traced back to those years of looting, rape, thieving, attributing to a
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words by tan ming jiang
T
he Chinese proverb: “Traveling teaches one much more than reading.” is indeed very true. I was fortunate to have
Only through traveling that I understood the importance of
been able to travel to Taiwan and Hong Kong on company work
good education and exposure. Education in Japan, Korea, Taiwan,
cultivate a good sense of comparison between countries.
using intellectual discussions, old school education of memorizing
trips, which exposed me to many facets of life and allowed me to
In the past, I used to travel as a tourist who only cared about
attractions, fun and photo taking. However, through my first company trip, I began to develop an analytical and observant mind to the surroundings and people in Taipei. I wasn’t concerned about the popular places, but more of understanding the purpose of my trip and how people behaved, their culture and livelihood.
Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan are so different, varying from to even hardcore cramming. Such exposure prompted me to think
hard about the best form of education for children and the effects
they ultimately bring. Public transport, housing (hostel rental rates), cost of food and infrastructure are the elements that reflect a country’s governance and her economic health.
In Tokyo, the cost of living is so high that it can be tough to
Being able to live and act like a local in a foreign land is
lead a comfortable life due to high housing prices. Other regional
my perspective as I imagine myself to be living as a local. My
known for high housing prices while Singapore is being praised
what I aspire to do. That is the true essence of traveling from
first trip out to Taiwan prompted me to think about living and
working in Taiwan and even subsequently in Hong Kong, Korea and Japan. Cultural and food differences are the main hurdles to
overcome from what I observed. It takes some time to understand and immerse into the culture and adjusting one’s taste buds. The lifestyle of people in different countries can be mind-blowing
sometimes and I like it that most countries seem more ‘fun’ than
Singapore or maybe that the grass is just greener on the other side!
People see things through the lens that was formed through
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top cities such as Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong are notoriously for having HDB well managed. I appreciate our government for
doing a good job, and I realized that moving around from time to time is a good experience and a refreshing one for the soul!
words by wee zhuan kai
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hina offers many opportunities for domestic travel. Once, I
foolishly remarked to my colleague that my goal is to travel
all over China this year. I can do that by travelling almost every
weekend via the high speed rail. She laughed at me. Looking back, it is not an impossible task, but what is the meaning to it? Do I
The coach ride to Shangri-La left me amazed. We passed by
many mountains and rivers that were seemingly undisturbed by
China’s rapid pace of urbanization. It was serene, without much vehicle horns, loud chatters, or pollution.
I checked into a youth hostel, changed up, and wandered around
just want to boast that I have stepped foot on almost all of China’s
the old town of Shangri-La. The architecture was beautiful, with
distinct historical and social background. I have only visited some
cheeks were running after dogs and cats. Not accustomed to the
soil? Every province, municipality, city or county has its unique and
parts of China, but the one journey that left me with the deepest impression and memory was my visit to Shangri-La, a journey
which I embarked on during the Golden Week holiday in October. I spent most of my journey travelling. It took me 34 hours of
railway to reach Kunming, another 6 hours of railway to reach Dali, and 8 hours of coach to reach Shangri-La. However, it was during that travel that I got to make new friends, observed the transition from high-rise buildings to factories, mountains to farmlands.
En route to Kunming, I was a little homesick. I had no company
with me and was very much out of my comfort zone. Everyone
was a minority on the train, in a sense. One Kunming student whispered to me how expensive a 2RMB mineral water on sale was. I immediately came to my senses that I was too accustomed
to my standard of living. He further remarked that I was lucky to be born in Singapore. He, on the other hand, will have difficulties securing employment upon graduation.
hundreds if not thousands years of history. Children with red high altitude, I went back and rested after a while. I spoke to the hostel owner, whom I happened to share same surname with. He came from Guangdong and shared with me the improvements he
would like to see in Shangri-La and China. He was well read and hopes that China could learn from Singapore’s nation building success. I have always like to hear from the locals about their views
on China, and the improvements they would like to see, but not necessarily learn from Singapore. The remaining days were spent visiting tourist monuments and making new friends. Before I knew
it, it was time to return to Shanghai. There were mixed feelings.. I
felt that I have only just started to know more about China and her people .
I would love to return to China and embark on a long trip
throughout China, not to step foot on all parts of China soil, but to learn from the people and to hear their stories.
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Waking up in Yunnan Singaporean to the core, I set myself the KPI of travelling to one Chinese city per month spent in China. Of the places I’ve been, none captivated my imagination the way Yunnan did—I never felt more in awe at this sheer goldmine of nature and culture. If you asked me where to travel in China, I would insist: go to Yunnan. words and photographs by lim yin hwee
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T
he first thing one notices about Yunnan is the color of the sky. Always impossibly, indescribably blue, the sky has a remarkable
effect on both one’s mood and one’s pictures. Here, it’s impossible not to be aware of the changing topography and altitude—
your companions tell you to drink more water, the air feels sharper in your lungs. Each view and each gulpful of fresh air tells you that you’re somewhere different now, go ahead and take it all in, like a child, wide-eyed and curious. right: jade dragon snow mountains (玉龙雪山), a small group of peaks near lijiang.
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After a while, even the most starry-eyed visitor to China has to accept that old towns are a dime a dozen—souvenir stores, local
specialties, cafĂŠs selling sandwiches and bars selling imported beer. But I like Lijiang, despite it being obviously commercialized. I like the easygoing nature of people we speak to, buy from, and haggle with. I like the food, exciting yet comforting. I like finding at every turn the smell of ground local coffee and the sound of guitars and pure vocals, something that never fails to tug at my heartstrings.
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Here’s Yunnan by the numbers: It’s composed of 8 autonomous prefectures, 11 cities, 86 counties, and 28 autonomous counties. It’s
home to 25 of China’s 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities, with minorities making up a third of its total population. But forget these figures easily plucked from the Internet—nothing makes as strong an impression as actual experiences.
Early one morning in Shangri-la, we stand amongst Tibetans from the region who have gathered to celebrate an important festival in their best traditional clothing. “Watch out! Stand back! They’ll make a fool of you,” warns a smiling photographer with tan skin and a playful spark in his eye, as he gestures to the dancing clowns. And sure enough, they run over and snatch our bag of snacks right
out of our hands. Everybody laughs—a common language across age and ethnicity. The clowns make a huge mess with our precious biscuits. Nobody minds.
right: gedong festival at songzanlin monastery, shangri-la county. on november 29th of the lunar calendar, monks in colorful costumes depicting deities, ghosts and animals perform a mystical and festive mask dance, an offering which the people believe can please the gods, drive away bad luck and celebrate the season.
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After a heart-stopping 8-hour bus ride around narrow mountain trails, we make it to Lugu Lake by sunset, did the tedious
inaccessibility add to its wonder in our eyes? Chatting and sharing snacks with lively local tourists; a quiet drive around the lake, taking in its unspoilt beauty; dining and dancing with people of the Mosuo tribe, learning about their unique matrilineal family
structure, which basically challenges all conventional conceptions of marriage, family, and gender. Looking back, it’s still hard to put
into words how grand and wonderful I realize the world is, but it’s certain that travelling has changed me—it’s hard not to ask, with knowledge that such marvels lay awaiting, can one be content living in a city all her life?
left: a boat ride on lugu lake at sunrise. the lake sits on the border of yunnan and sichuan, and its shores are inhabited by many minority ethnic groups, the most numerous of which are the mosuo people.
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Impressions of Beijing A look at China’s political and cultural centre through the eyes of a Political Science student. words by ong yijiang & photographs by lim yin hwee
P
rior to my trip to Beijing, my closest
discipline. Through my conversations with my
was limited to the history books, and even so,
the political center of China, belief in, and thus
knowledge to China’s august history
was further limited from the advent of the
communist era spanning since 1949 till the
present. Living in cosmopolitan Shanghai, in a
melting pot of a myriad of both Western and Chinese cultures, meant that my experience in
China thus far had not provided me with what I would posit as a distilled form of Chinese culture. The little historical and cultural nuances
of China which I had acquired over the years simply did not prepare me for what I was about to experience in Beijing.
This changed when I visited Beijing, the
political and cultural seat of power of the
China. It was pure coincidence that my apartment was rented from a Beijing professor
who so happened to be a political scientist by
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erudite landlord, I was able to surmise that in
adherence to the communist political system, was as strong as ever, even with the introduction
of Capitalism into the command economy. Similarly, Chairman Mao continued to possess a cult of personality among its citizens, where his
achievements are believed to have provided the invaluable foundation for what China is today; a
global superpower. Such conversations I conducted with the locals, along with observations made during the course of my trip created something of an interactive history trip for me, which I confess
I enjoyed immensely. In addition, understanding
the unique psyche of the Chinese people and the impact of historical events on the social dynamics of modern day citizens certainly gave me much food for thought.
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There were three Chinese cultural sites of significance which left the deepest impressions, namely the
Great Wall, the Forbidden Palace, and Tiananmen Square. the great wall
One of the most famous locations on the planet, the Great Wall did not cease to amaze. Man pitted his
strength against the vagaries of nature and shaped the land to his exacting design, leaving the Great Wall to represent our determination not to be cowed by the overwhelming power of nature. Although the
Wall may have fallen into disrepair at several locations, it has stood and will continue to stand till time
immemorial, a testament to the triumph of mankind over nature. Sadly, we may never see such terribly massive constructs built in the contemporary era, since it required a man of such singular purpose and
totality of power to be able to dictate the construction and diversion of resources into such an endeavor.
Could we see any individual embark on such a massive undertaking in a capitalist and democratic milieu? Bar dictators and totalitarians outside of the democratic domain, a similar endeavor is unlikely.
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the forbidden palace
Moving from one construct of monumental
significance to the next, the Forbidden Palace, I
vicariously experienced a typical day in imperial
life as we moved around the grounds, appreciating
the architecture of what was essentially an exercise in ostentation and excess to mark the importance of the Emperor of China. Spanning more than 27000 square meters, The Forbidden Palace
consisted of numerous rooms and palaces within
its grounds. Although the imperial rule of China could not endure and met an ignominious end
after Emperor Pu Yi, its legacy continues to be venerated for its cultural impact on more than 2000 years of China’s history.
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tiananmen square
Moving from ancient to modern China,
Tiananmen Square represented one of the
momentous sites where democratic activists were crushed by the communist iron fist. Iconic as
it was popularized by the famous photo which
continue to typify Western thinking about China’s style of rule, Tiananmen Square continues to
be tightly guarded, with stringent security and an overwhelming police presence within the
immediate vicinity, bringing to mind the scenes of Orwellian surveillance straight from his novel 1984.
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I Left My Heart In The Maldives While we travel, moments are preserved as memories and shared instantly with family and friends far away. But without technology, in one of the most beautiful places in the world, we may discover what connection and contentment truly mean. words and photograph by adeline chia
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F
rom Shanghai to Singapore, from Singapore to Male; stepping foot on our home ground even for those few hours
made me truly happy while travelling on this work trip. After one and a half days’ flight and 20 minutes of speedboat ride, I found
thankful for the time I get to spend away from technology, which
has been omnipresent in my life. If the Wi-Fi had been working perfectly, I would never have heard these stories.
I have never have known happiness to be this simple, and how
myself at Club Med Kani. With our unwashed faces and tired
easy it is to pass it on to someone else. You know, they always
throughout the trip, with short pockets of time for rest and play
this readily, and often does not know how to be contented. Here,
eyes, my colleagues and I began work immediately. This lasted in between.
Maldives is a country made of more than 200 islands and Club
Med Kani is one of them. The beauty of Maldives was a sight to
behold, a great piece of work by Mother Nature. With only a few
say, find happiness in all the little things you do, yet one forgets wealth and fame are out of the picture, and only happiness
matters. I can only say it is a life that many city dwellers will envy but do not have the courage to go after.
This journey has taught me so much, in ways big and small. A
natural colours, this place was able to captivate the hearts of many.
reminder to myself: every journey onward from here, I will speak
stories. (The magnificent view was a bonus.) The almost non-
moving in its own way. Each of these stories will form a piece of my
It was a special place, special because of the people and their
existent Wi-Fi might have frustrated me, but thinking back, I am
to people more and listen to their stories, because every story is own to tell—when I do, I know it can inspire the next listener.
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A Golden Week In Huangshan Tiring as the climb was, I was rewarded with an extraordinary view of the mountains of Huangshan through the lens of Hwee and the companionship of Cynthia. words by seow wee beng & photographs by lim yin hwee
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explore
In the days leading up to our trip’s highlight, the actual hike at Huangshan, we took our time to discover other beautiful places—宏
村, a quaint village with green hills and clear streams winding through, and 木坑竹海, a forest populated with bamboo. We could film our own version of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” here! Not forgetting the chance to embrace my inner child—I paid 50 yuan to ride a horse in the company of excited kids.
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eat
One of the joys of travelling is tasting local delicacies, even if we cannot accept the stench of some!
We decided to try a well-known delicacy of Huangshan, 毛豆腐. Receiving the tofu from the boss, we held our breaths and took our
first bite. It was the worst-smelling tofu I have ever eaten in my life. The rest went into the nearest bin.
Cooked in a huge pot and served in traditional bowls, the tangyuan we chanced upon were so delicious that we had them twice in
two days. Sitting at the stall located in one of the back-alleys of the bustling streets of Tunxi Old Street and being surrounded by the older residents brought about a feeling that we were enjoying this treat in ancient times.
Other treats include 烧饼, a crispy and tasty bite-sized snack, candied fruit, multi-coloured pickles, and bowls of hot wonton soup,
simple and delightful in winter. Just look at Cynthia’s satisfied smile.
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hike
Huangshan: A place of beautiful mountains. As we conquered peak after peak, the beauty of nature intensified all the way to the
top. Crowds were common sightings everywhere in China during the Golden Week and one had to get used to squeezing among the crowds at each attraction. On our way up, we saw that climbing mountains is a part of Chinese culture; nobody is too young or old.
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after hours
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Sunday Mornings On Sundays I like to walk around with my camera, finding out more about how others in the city spend their day off. Here are a few of my favourite pictures taken in Fall, a precious few weeks with the best weather. photo essay by lim yin hwee
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people’s park, shanghai
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jing’an villas, shanghai
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Bread Busters A celebration of gluttony and the warmth and comfort that only freshly-baked bread can give us. words by adeline chia & photographs by adeline chia and lim yin hwee
O
ne thing I love most about NOCSH20 is that the girls can really eat! We do lament the weight gain, chubby thighs, and developing tummies that seem to be the inevitable side-effects of living for a year in
Shanghai—but place some food in front of us and poof, it will be gone.
Among the never-ending list of food that we love, most of us share a common interest in one—bread. We
would seek out different bakeries, try out their best creations, and share the yummiest ones with each other.
One day in winter, Yuxin, Cynthia, and I were heading to Curves to work out but were way too early for
our session so we headed to a nearby bakery for bread. Cynthia and I are mega bread lovers. As we savored the
lovely buns, an idea struck me - “Wouldn’t it be nice if I know where all the delicious bread and pastries are
on a single platform?” I randomly suggested this to Cynthia. Before I knew it, a notification appeared on my phone— “Instagram: Breadbusters wants to follow you.”
Of course, it was the work of Cynthia, and that was how it all started. We began to review bread through
the Breadbusters account on Instagram, sharing the must-try bread at various bakeries and cafes that we visited. Sometimes, we snuck in posts on other pastries such as lemon tart and cakes.
Regardless of the follower count, we enjoyed the tasting and reviewing. Is this just an excuse to legitimize
our interest in bread? And even if it was, why not? I like how our love for bread conquers all. Each time we
walk past a bakery with its lovely sights and smells, we just cannot resist the urge to enter and make a purchase. Join us on Breadbusters, and let us share with you the happiness that you’ll get with every taste of bread.
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A Quiet Space As work days blend into weekends, find your own space in Shanghai’s cafés to restore, refresh and rejuvenate. Here’s a tiny list of our favourite cafés in Shanghai. words by adeline chia & photographs by adeline chia and lim yin hwee
C
afés are like salad bowls—people of different backgrounds gather in a relaxed setting, bringing
with them a mixture of emotions—love among the customers, anger when food is served late,
disappointment when choices run out.
All I do at cafés is to eat and observe the world around me. An extroverted introvert, I enjoy going to
cafes alone – there’s no better way to spending this much-needed recharge session. As much as I hate to
admit it, sometimes I bring my work along. I do, however, need to declare that cafés are not MEANT for work, never.
In this short one-year stay in Shanghai, café hopping is a must no matter how busy life gets. Cafés in
Shanghai are interesting; some are hidden in alleys while others are located right smack in the center of tourist attractions. There are dozens, hundreds to choose from, and each one has a distinctive story of its own.
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窝- home 上海市静安区巨鹿路 786弄 66号
As its name suggests, this place sure feels like home with its cozy European style interior, fresh flowers in every corner, and home cooked food on the table. Family must mean everything to the owner because in this place that he/she names home, his/her own family members are also the best work crew.
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寻觅- xunmi 静安区愚园路541弄30号
True to its name, I had a hard time locating this place. Hidden right at the end of the alley, with a closed
door in your face, one might not even think that this is a café. If you’re looking for some time alone, this is the place to go. Pick a corner and be immersed in your own world.
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farine 武康路378号1楼，近泰安路
A minimalistic French bakery where one can find freshly baked bread and pastries. In Flour They Trust and in Farine I trust.
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kommune 田子坊, 泰康路210弄7号5室 近思南路
Highly raved about on TripAdvisor, and situated at the heart of Tian Zi Fang, it is almost difficult to get
a seat here on the weekends. Serving classic English breakfasts and drinks, this place gathers many expats, tourists, and locals alike.
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a room 徐汇区泰安路120弄卫乐园15号, 近华山路
If not for the faint spray-painted sign on the slightly rusty door, you might miss this quaint place hidden
in an alley. You find yourself walking down memory lane the moment you step foot inside. Wooden horse, old-school canteen tables, bulky polaroid cameras, frosted glass panes and many precious items from the past make you realize that throwing away old toys was a mistake then.
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虎- hu café 凯旋路164号第3 座, 近汇川路
We watch it grow as it watches us grow. From customers to friends, nobody is unfamiliar with 小虎, the
owner of Hu Café & Bakery, We’ve frequented this place since it first started, as 小虎 welcomes us in to
work on our projects or simply to chat. From a quiet café in winter, it has now become a popular spot for many exciting events - flower arrangement classes, salsa dancing, Stanford Alumni meet-ups... In this humble setting, I find many talented individuals with big dreams.
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The Best Shopping in China Confessions of a shopaholic in China: I can spend 500RMB in a day—without changing out of my pyjamas! words by foo siyun & photographs by eugene law and lim qian tong
E
very NOC China student is familiar with this
to China never cease to amaze me. Items can be
satisfying the inherent materialist within us all. We
is real time. (A typical item has about 4-8 transfers.)
wonderful but productivity-killing innovation,
trawl pages after various pages (or maybe, just me...) after work, and maybe, during work? Seniors speak
fondly of this as one of the key defining things they miss about NOC. And so will I.
Say hello to Taobao, (淘宝）, the leading
consumer to consumer e-commerce website in
China selling everything to anything you can ever
electronically tracked at every point of transfer, and
Goods are received typically within 3 days, and most items are delivered free of charge. I also once received a handwritten post it note by a deliveryman telling
me to collect our items in the electric box beside our
apartment. That was a one-off incident though, as some deliverymen are pretty gruff !
I have spent much time, and ashamedly, money
dream of in the world. My colleagues always say, 淘
on Taobao. However, I always justify my purchases
thousand things. Indeed one can find everything on
China. Where else can I get good quality dresses
宝是万能的! - taobao is amazing and can do ten this powerful platform. Shirts, check. Coffee mugs,
check. Power banks, check. Mosquito repellent, check. And things like, an iPad? A guinea pig? A cage for your hamster? Check, check, check. But of course, they don’t sell humans, or drugs.
And the amazement, the sheer goodness of it
all doesn’t end there. The items ordered via Taobao are delivered right to your doorstep by various
deliverymen. How amazing is this? The speed, efficiency and affordability of delivery as compared
as maximizing my return on investment being in
for 6SGD, rompers for 7SGD, and sandals for an unbelievable 2SGD??? Like my seniors, I will
miss Taobao so much. It is a comforting nighttime
activity after a long day at work, and just where else could you find such easy shopping - wide variety (an understatement), dirt cheap prices, good quality (depending on luck though!), and efficient, low-cost delivery?
Excuse me while I go and Taobao in my
numbered days ahead.
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After Hours Touted as the pearl of the orient, the Paris of the East, and more recently, China’s New York, Shanghai has a night entertainment scene matching many other Southeast Asian metropolises. Stylish restaurants, quality cuisine, and a nightlife that offers many hidden delights are just some of the features which have placed Shanghai at the top of the list for the average cosmopolitan citizen. words by ong yijiang & photograph by lim yin hwee
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I
n the last five years, Shanghai has seen the rise of the “lifestyle hub”—featuring F&B outlets and posh wine bars which
share an overarching urban personality unique to its locale. The effort put into promoting the commercial mystique of a locale
of the clubbing scene in Shanghai is to appreciate a pastiche of
the clubbing meccas such as Singapore’s Clarke Quay and Spain’s Ibiza.
The clubbing scene has generally become more events-based,
accentuates one’s enjoyment of a simple meal and beverage. The
as club owners seek to compete by differentiating apart from
based on the emphasis of its distinct architecture, which hearken
inviting international and/or local celebrity DJs, student prices,
success of Shanghai’s preeminent lifestyle hub, Xintiandi was
to its French origins. As a result, new hubs have begun to emulate
this strategy but generally speaking, they pale in comparison, lacking the panache and the storied history which Xintiandi boasts. Though it will take time for newer destinations to develop
their own identity, Shanghai’s lifestyle hubs have the potential to develop into diverse additions to the tapestry of its nightlife.
Apart from offering a mellow, relaxing night out, Shanghai’s
nightlife offers a slew of options for the young and trendy. The current clubbing scene is typically characterized by a handful of
loud and boisterous clubs, both large and boutique-sized catering to various genders and sexual orientations. Being a cosmopolitan
city, Shanghai has seen clubs which cater to every demographic; a signifier for how liberal Shanghai has become as a city when compared to its neighboring counterparts in China. To be part
the pack, offering themed nights, targeting the gay community, and ridiculous drink offers. This lively competition provides a
tantalizing prospect which any club-goer would love to have; being spoilt for choice. It is rare for club-goers staying in one place, opting to club hop across several locations before settling
for the best. These factors have shaped the nightlife scene in
Shanghai to adapt to the fierce competitiveness of the clubs, where avid club-goers must stay on their feet, keeping updated
on the latest deals to ensure one is at the best party on a given night. It is no coincidence that a club may be packed one night and be completely devoid of customers in the other. Hence for
the average club-goer and traveler looking for a good time in Shanghai, the clubbing scene never stops, and every night is a
kaleidoscope of wondrous music, cabaret performances and liquid delights.
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A New World Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.—Anaïs Nin.
In this year, each new friendship that blossoms is a separate and unique source of joy.
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my favourite souvenir words & photograph by seow yuxin
I
f I were to offer a piece of good advice after my
truly glad we made the effort to. We got to know
gladder that I went on that trip with them. Today, I
with at least one local person wherever you are. If
visits to People’s Square and museums, however the
Subsequently, we hung out more and had a lot of
experience in NOC, it would be to make friends
you are lucky enough, you would be able to hit it
off with great chemistry and stay friends for life. Nothing beats seeing the country through the eyes
each other better as we went on short weekend
true bonding took place during the Hangzhou and
fun singing overnight at karaoke and playing pool. I
Traveling with them was such a joy. Perhaps it was
Wuhan, one of the oldest cities in China. This
Nanjing vacation during China’s Golden Week.
of a local to understand a new culture.
their spontaneity or maybe it was our chemistry, we
the incoming batch of exchange students. I met my
Fei had friends in each of the places, and they were
My Fudan journey began with an orientation for
local friend, Jin Fei, and a Korean exchange student, Yoonsun, who have made all the difference during my one-year in China. With my barely passable
Mandarin, Jin Fei’s raw English, and Yoonsun’s stumbling English and Mandarin, we tried very hard to communicate. It was a miracle we managed
to hit it off and kept in contact after that. I am
feel grateful for the fateful meeting at the orientation.
enjoyed seeing China through each other’s eyes. Jin always enthusiastic when explaining the meaning and history of the places we went to. They were so
warm and welcoming that I felt well taken care of. Through the trip, I understood more of the Chinese
youth culture, learnt their lingo and was humbled
by their history. Definitely, my Mandarin improved. I was glad that I could speak Mandarin and even
even went on a trip to my local friend’s hometown, summer holiday after my internship, I would be looking forward to meeting my Korean friend in
her hometown, Incheon. I hope that as we go on our separate ways after the year is up, we would
stay in contact. Perhaps someday I can bring them around my hometown, Singapore, and return them the heartwarming experience they had given me.
So go ahead and put in the effort to make a
new friend. You’ll never know the treasures you can uncover.
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two is better than one words by ong yijiang & photograph by lim yin hwee
“F
riendship is unnecessary, like philosophy,
The relationships were perfunctory as we were
one another’s quirks and eccentricity. Arguments
is one of those things which give value to survival”
the luxury of preference in a foreign land, of familiar
things, but are typically punctuated by aid provided
like art.... It has no survival value; rather it
C.S. Lewis
Amongst my most treasured aspects of my time
in Shanghai is the irrevocable bond of friendship
arbitrarily organized into a household, robbed of faces, we gravitated to one another on the basis of pure necessity.
Yet it was through the collective struggle to
and disagreements may occur over the smallest of without having anything in return. These troughs and crests typify friendship at its finest, lending
a flavour which is special only to those privileged
and camaraderie which I have forged with my
adapt to the vagaries of life in Shanghai where
In my opinion, friendship constitutes the mutual
conversations and appreciation of one another’s
person’s raison de entre. It may not feed you, but
avalanche which gains momentum over time.
enjoy such a simple and wonderful thing.
friends.
understanding between you and your friend that
we shall protect one another, fight for one another
and to elevate the happiness in your relationship. From the initial trial of surviving the alien culture in
China, we were forced by limited circumstances to build functional relationships in order to replicate a
similar standard of living we enjoyed in Singapore.
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true bonds of fellowship were forged. The daily company was gradual, much like the interminable Relationships of function became undergirded by
mutual trust and interests, likes and dislikes, by shared responsibility to one another’s well-being as we appreciate exceptional qualities, understand
human flaws and learn to become accustomed to
enough to savour.
Friendship may not be necessary, but it is a
it surely leaves you satisfied, for the opportunity to
soccer knows no boundaries words & photograph by seow wee beng
S
ince young, soccer has been a huge part of my
part of my lifestyle here in Shanghai.
would bring me around on his scooter, trying out
to play soccer regularly. Thus, it is not a surprise that
had initial difficulties communicating with the
young. I have tried Shanghai’s most authentic 小
kick some balls in my one-year stay.
to communicate on the pitch. However, things
life. Even after breaking my leg twice, I continue
I brought my soccer boots to Shanghai, hoping to Before coming to Shanghai, I had the impression
that the soccer culture is not that strong since their national sports have always been focused on table
tennis, badminton and basketball. However, I was proven wrong with the large number of soccer fields and courts readily available for public use. After
realizing that there are soccer facilities around, I am keen to find a soccer team to join or gather soccer enthusiasts. Thankfully, I have an awesome colleague
who introduced me to his soccer team which plays
soccer weekly. Since then, weekly soccer has been a
Being the only foreigner in a local team, I
team as they use their local dialect, Shanghainese got better after a few sessions with the team as I
understood the way the team played and they even switched to Mandarin to ensure I understood what
they wanted. From the time spent together with
the guys on the pitch, I have forged friendships with each teammate, understanding more about
local eateries that he has been frequenting since
笼包，炸排，拉面 hidden in the narrow roads
of Hongkou District all thanks to Leon. Our friendship has grown stronger over the weeks of
soccer and food hunting and I am amazed how the love of a sport, in this case soccer could bring
two people of different nationalities much closer together.
them on and off the pitch. After the soccer games, the team bonded together with discussions about
favorite teams in the English Premier league and the matches happening in the 2014 World Cup.
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This Family For someone who is easily nostalgic, it is too easy to miss home during the one-year stay in China. Here, however, I found another family away from home.
words by seow yuxin & photographs by lim yin hwee
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O
n NOC, we were thrown into a foreign land and out of our comfort zone. But because of that, there was a strong community spirit between seniors and juniors as well as amongst batch mates. When we
first arrived, the seniors took us under their wings, offering us accommodation and guidance to help us settle in. As days went by, we became a family, celebrating festivals together and being there for each other in times of joy and sorrow.
For me, coming home daily meant being greeted by my roommate, Meng Yu. I know that I can always
turn to her when I want to rant about anything that happened during the day and vice versa. Some nights, we
would laugh about silly jokes and do facial masks together, staying up till dawn talking about everything under the moon. We saw each other in every state, from morning bedheads to when we were glamorously made-up. I
believe I speak for most of us that we will miss our roommates and housemates when this year comes to an end.
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To my family away from home:
Thank you for all the heart-warming gatherings and holidays that we have celebrated together like a family. Thank you for all the birthdays and merry-making we had together like a family.
Thank you for all the laughter and support that we have given one another like a family.
May we stay together as a family as we proceed with each of our own lives, supporting one another while
having frequent gatherings even after many years down the road. Life back in Singapore would be very different as we return to our own separate worlds; I will miss the special bond we share in this year in Shanghai.
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acknowledgments Our sincere gratitude to NUS Overseas Colleges and Kenneth Chan and Jessica Lee of McDonald’s China for their kind support, which made this book possible. We are also thankful to NUS, our internship companies, our partners, and those who have helped us in one way or another in this year. Thank you for an amazing year in Shanghai!
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