Blog Launch: Nicole @ Shanghai!

Hello everyone!

In this “debut blog entry”, let me introduce myself first. I am Nicole Leung, a third-year Asia-Pacific Studies student currently studying international politics at Fudan University in Shanghai, China.

Born and raised in Hong Kong (once a British colony), I never had strong emotional ties to China. Therefore, I take this exchange year at Shanghai as a golden opportunity for me to rediscover China, as Shanghai is the most spectacular city in this emerging country, experiencing immense cultural, social, political and economic changes. In fact, it was not until I arrived at this dynamic city that I started to realize how little I knew about China.

During my stay in Shanghai (until July 2009), every other week I will write about 300 words or more, focusing primarily on my thoughts and experiences as a “foreigner” living in this Chinese metropolis.

Through observations of and daily interactions with the local Chinese, I have gathered many firsthand experiences that enhance my understanding of this rising power. Therefore, in the blog, I will include not only my school life at Fudan University, but also personal observations of the people and things I come across that might indicate the transformation of the Chinese society.

Of course, there is more to China than meets the eye, so I will also reflect on what I learn from class. At Fudan University, I have been taking various courses related to international and Chinese politics (e.g. the Chinese Communist Party), and the Chinese society. It is interesting how this knowledge has been constantly changing my perception of China.

Hope you guys would enjoy reading my blog.