Shanghai Study Abroad Exposes Senior to Her Family’s Culture

Kristen Au ’17 was excited to step out of her textbook for her Asian studies minor and into real-life China this summer when she headed to Shanghai for six weeks of cultural immersion and academic pursuit.

Au, an international studies major, is studying international trade and global emerging markets at the East China Normal University, as well as meeting other students, traveling and just observing all she can.

“I enjoy people-watching, because I get a better sense of what everyday life is for a Chinese citizen, even their sense of fashion,” said Au, who starts each day by heading across the street from her apartment to a local café to study where the WiFi is strong, there is a good crowd to watch and there is air conditioning. “Since the weather gets up to 100 degrees here in Shanghai, air conditioning is always a selling point in a café.”

Her classes have exposed Au to China as a global emerging market and its role in international trade.

“I understand more of the Chinese perspective, and how they foresee China’s international standing in the future,” said Au of Roslyn, NY. “I think what impacted me the most was seeing how important China’s history was in shaping where it is today economically.”

She arranged the experience through International Studies Abroad (ISA) for which she is a global ambassador and with whom she travelled to Morocco in the spring of 2015. She chose China because of her family roots — her grandfather came to the U.S. from China when he was 13.

“Coming here has been fulfilling, because I've learned more about my Chinese heritage and culture,” said Au, who has learned to make dumplings and is eating her way through the street markets. While she studied Mandarin at UT, it has proven difficult to pick up the conversational language she is finding in Shanghai. But she is picking up on crucial phrases used for ordering food or finding a bathroom.

While riding the subway, Au and her roommate will pick random stops to get off at and explore. “Shanghai is so big that I feel like I see or learn something new every day.”

Au is considering several options after graduating this coming spring — from Fulbright to Peace Corps to teaching English as second language.

“Meeting Chinese people my age has had a huge impact on how I view Chinese youth culture,” Au said. “My favorite moment was meeting a few Chinese youth for dinner and learning more about them and their likes/dislikes and interests. It turns out we’re not much different at all! We all enjoy socializing over food and aspire to support ourselves in the future with a stable job.”

Have a story idea? Contact Jamie Pilarczyk, Web Writer
Sign up for UT Web Alerts