An IT internship in China will open up a young person’s eyes to a world of exciting personal and professional opportunities. An up-and-coming IT professional in Shanghai will have the chance to soak up Chinese culture, gain professional experience in their field and live in a leading international city, making it both an exciting cultural opportunity, and also a great career booster. Moreover, IT internships in Shanghai offer young professionals a unique and valuable experience, as interns are able to intern alongside established, international IT professionals.
Shanghai is a glittering, bustling metropolis and China’s most populous city. The neon, concrete jungle is home to some 14 million residents, including many expats and professionals from around the world. A global financial hub, Shanghai has attracted a number of industries. IT interns in Shanghai are placed with the city’s leading firms, where they can gain professional experience in an international and competitive city. Interns can really boost their employability after getting real-world professional experience in a foreign country.
IT 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 and interns. Getting around in 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.
An IT internship in Shanghai is a wonderful introduction to Chinese culture and the local languages, while interns can simultaneously gain professional experience. Any interns looking to learn another language can pick up Mandarin while in Shanghai. 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 be more likely to hear in informal contexts, like on the streets. However, in recent years there has been a push to use more Mandarin, making the city more international.
Shanghai is a vital city to China and represents both the country’s past and future. Lights dancing, the spectacle of the glittering Lujiazui skyline illuminates 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. IT 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, making it an ideal place for an international intern. IT 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.
Enjoying 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.
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 Shanghai_7, by hans-johnson, CC-by-2.0
2. based on Shanghai_1, by hans-johnson, CC-by-ND 2.0