"They say good morning even if they don’t know you!" - from Shaanxi to Portugal
"They say good morning even if they don’t know you!" - from Shaanxi to Portugal
华东理工大学英文网, aka East China University of Science and Technology, lies a few blocks away from the Huangpu River, the waterway that cuts Shanghai in half from South to North.
It’s here that Wanting Zhang usually works, developing algorithms to optimize crude oil processes. That’s also the place she met Pedro Castro, who was on a work visit in 2023. Wanting’s PhD project is related to Pedro’s research topic, which sparked the idea of spending a year at CERENA working together. Wanting was in her third year of her doctoral program (out of five total years) when she applied for a government scholarship to spend her fourth year at a foreign institution, and she was awarded the scholarship. This scholarship is granted to all PhD students in the People’s Republic of China to expand their professional and personal experiences abroad.
Although she had already moved to the megacity of Shanghai from her hometown in the heart of China a few years earlier, this is her first experience outside her country. Wanting admits that she had no idea where (or what) Portugal was before embarking on this exciting journey. When she arrived on this side of the world in September 2023, it felt like being on another planet. She had reached out to some groups from the active Chinese community in Lisbon through WeChat, the Chinese messaging app, and they were very helpful in the process of house-hunting and getting settled in Portugal (long live technology!).
The first month was the hardest, with one cultural shock after another and a touch of homesickness. For Wanting, one of the most difficult things about moving to a whole different world far from home (besides learning how to use a knife and fork!) was the lack of friends to support her. However, she was happily surprised by the friendliness of the people in Portugal: “They say good morning even if they don’t know you!”. The reception from CERENA and IST was also “wonderful,” with plenty of opportunities to get to know the people at the center, such as the CERENA annual meeting and the seminars. If there were a competition for #1CERENASeminarFan, Wanting would by far be the winner! She could finally associate smiles and voices with the names she had read on the webpage and in her email inbox, while also discovering cutting-edge research topics in the many fields where CERENA members excel.
As this Portuguese experience comes to an end, the empty suitcase lies on the floor of her room, waiting to be packed. Somehow, Wanting feels that she is taking home much more than just clothes and souvenirs. Apart from the scientific knowledge and skills she gained during her year in Lisbon, this experience taught her how to be more resilient and independent. These skills have made her feel much more confident, and she can’t wait to welcome any CERENA PhD students or visiting researchers back in Shanghai. Xie xie, Wanting!
What to expect when visiting the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai?
- Be sure you know how to use chopsticks – no cutlery available in the canteen.
- Your accomodation will be sorted by the University, worry not!
- Some apps won't work in the PRC, so you will have to download Chinese apps.
- Do not expect to ever see cash or coins, you’ll pay everything via mobile phone.