A Completely New and Unusual Experience Full of Excitement – Cultural Exchange in Shanghai

Miloje, a participant in the “Journey to the East” program, writes to us from Shanghai, sharing his first impressions of life in China. Here’s what he had to say:

Life in China. Where do I begin? From the very beginning.

From the moment I landed at Shanghai Pudong Airport, I knew I was in for something entirely new, unusual, and filled with excitement. You’re probably wondering—what’s so different? The answer: everything.

The first thing that hits you is the skyline. The city is packed with towering skyscrapers—unlike anything we have back home, or even in most of Europe. One of them is the Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world. I have no idea exactly how tall it is… but it’s very tall.

As I looked around while driving through the city, all I could see were Chinese characters everywhere. Occasionally, I’d spot a sign in English, but most of the time, I had no clue what anything meant. I quickly realized that communicating would be a real challenge.

When it came to ordering food in those first few days, I used the universal language—pointing at pictures. I’d spot some meat on the menu, point to it, and think, “easy enough.” But after the second bite, my mouth would be on fire. I’d panic and ask for water… only to be handed a cup of hot water. Another shock. “Are they joking?” I wondered. But nope—that’s just the way it is.

Koreans love spicy food, and in China, especially in the south, everything is spicy and heavily seasoned. And if you ask for water, it’ll almost always be hot or warm—it’s just part of the culture. So, a word of advice: if you don’t like spicy food, learn the phrase “bu jaola” – I don’t want spicy. If you’re a spice lover, well—good luck, you’re in for a ride.

On the bright side, Shanghai is bursting with restaurants of all kinds. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the variety of food options, and I’m sure everyone can find something they love. So don’t worry—you won’t go hungry.

The people here are extremely kind and welcoming to foreigners. Everywhere I go, I feel taken care of. The restaurant staff always tries to leave a great impression—and they’re happy when you return. Don’t be surprised if a chef sends over a free drink or a little tasting dish just to say welcome.

One last thing—get used to crowds. There are crowds on the streets, crowds on the subway, crowds literally everywhere. But don’t let it stress you out. After all, you’re in China, the most populous country in the world.