Jump-start your career while exploring one of Asia’s most innovative cities with a human resources internship in Shanghai. A human resources internship in China will provide a young person with unique personal and professional opportunities. An up-and-coming HR and talent management professional in Shanghai will be able to learn more about Chinese culture and gain professional, real-world experience. Moreover, human resources internships in Shanghai offer young professionals valuable networking opportunities, as interns work alongside established, international industry professionals.
Shanghai is a high-energy, competitive metropolis and China’s most populous city. Some 24 million residents call this neon, concrete jungle home, including many expats and leading professionals from around the world. A global financial hub and leading global city, Shanghai leads the way in a number of different industries, including human resources and talent management. Human resources interns in Shanghai are placed in leading firms where they can gain professional experience in an international city. Interns can really boost their employability by getting real-world professional experience abroad.
Human resources interns in Shanghai will enjoy staying in the accommodation set up through The Intern Group, located in safe local neighborhoods. Interns live in private bedrooms in shared apartments with other students, young professionals or interns on the program. Getting around Shanghai is a breeze thanks to the city’s comprehensive public transportation system – the most extensive in the world, and very affordable! The metro, along with international areas, has signs translated into English making it easier for interns to get around.
Human resources internships in Shanghai offer a unique introduction to Chinese culture and the local languages, while interns simultaneously gain vital professional experience. One key way interns can plug into Chinese culture is by picking up Mandarin. The language is spoken among most locals, especially in the private sector, although it isn’t the official regional language. The regional language is actually Shanghainese, which is what interns will hear in informal contexts outside of the office. However, recently there has been a push to use more Mandarin as a way to make Shanghai more international and connected to the rest of China.
Shanghai is a key Chinese city, emblematic of both the country’s past and future. Lights dancing, the spectacle of the glittering Lujiazui skyline represents Chinese modernity, innovation and economic power. Meanwhile, the old world delights of Shanghai’s Qibao Old Town recreate the simple charms of another era of Chinese history. Human resources interns in Shanghai will appreciate all of the different iterations of Chinese culture they find in Shanghai. There’s just so much to see and experience.
Despite being a Chinese city, interns will find that Shanghai boasts a lot of foreign influences and a rich international community. Human resources interns in Shanghai will be able to meet people from all around the world, making international friends and key professional contacts. There are amazing international sectors that attract expats, travelers and international business people. People come from all over the world, especially from France, Korea and the United States. International spaces like Irish pubs and burger shops have popped up, thanks to the increasingly diverse population. As Shanghai becomes more international, speaking English has also been on the rise, particularly among the city’s youth.
Trying the tasty cuisine available in Shanghai is a great way to experience Chinese culture. Being such a large, multicultural city, it’s an ideal place to try many different types of Chinese cuisine. Moreover, the prices of many high quality dishes are very low, as long as you’re willing to try local places. For as little as US$2 an intern can find delicious and authentic regional dishes. Even eating out at a higher-end restaurant can cost as little as US$10, keeping costs low. Interns in Shanghai cannot leave the city without trying plates like xiao long bao, a dumpling soup, and yangchun noodles. Check out our ultimate checklist for foodies in Shanghai for more must-eats.
Sources: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/shanghai/introduction, http://www.timeoutshanghai.com/feature/28589/Shanghais-best-markets.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghainese, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Shanghai, http://travel.cnn.com/shanghai/play/worlds-greatest-city-50-reasons-why-shanghai-no-1-590704/, http://goingawesomeplaces.com/top-10-things-to-do-in-shanghai/, http://www.phyllisonthemap.com/10-reasons-shanghai-best-place-live-china/
Photos
1. based on The colors of the street, by Matthias Ripp, CC-by-2.0
2. based on Lujiazui_2, by hans-johnson, CC-by-ND 2.0
3. based on K11 Shanghai, by Liwen X, CC-by-SA 2.0