Living abroad can be one of the most transformative experiences of your life. It allows you to step outside of your comfort zone, immerse yourself in a different culture, and gain a new perspective on the world around you. For me, moving from my home country of Malaysia to Shanghai, China was an eye-opening experience that taught me a great deal about cultural differences.
Growing up in Malaysia, I was surrounded by a melting pot of cultures and religions. As a result, I thought I had a fairly good understanding of what it meant to be culturally aware. However, it wasn’t until I moved to Shanghai that I truly realized how much I had to learn.
The first thing I noticed was the language barrier. Despite being fluent in English and Mandarin, I quickly realized that communicating with locals was not as simple as I had thought. Shanghai locals spoke Mandarin with a strong accent, and there were times when even basic conversations were challenging. This made me realize how important it is to be patient and persistent when it comes to communication.
Another cultural difference I encountered was the way people interacted with each other. In Malaysia, it’s common to greet others with a hug or handshake, and people are generally quite friendly and approachable. In Shanghai, however, I noticed that people tended to keep to themselves and were less likely to engage in small talk with strangers. This made me appreciate the importance of understanding and respecting cultural norms.
One of the biggest differences I noticed was the food. In Malaysia, we have a wide variety of cuisines, including Chinese, Indian, Malay, and Western. However, the food in Shanghai was vastly different from what I was used to. From street food to high-end restaurants, everything was new and exciting. I discovered the joy of trying new foods and flavors, and it made me appreciate the diversity of cultures around the world.
Living in Shanghai also taught me the value of adaptability. Whether it was navigating the public transportation system or adjusting to the fast-paced lifestyle, I quickly learned that flexibility and resilience were key to thriving in a new environment.
My experience living abroad in Shanghai has been an incredible journey of personal growth and cultural understanding. It has taught me the importance of being open-minded, patient, and adaptable in new and unfamiliar situations. Most importantly, it has given me a newfound appreciation for the beauty and richness of cultural differences.
