My Second Hometown

Twenty years ago, I left my hometown heading south for Shanghai/>/> to pursue my college education. Since then, Shanghai has become my second hometown.

I didn’t feel any excitement until I entered my college, where a big pond full of blooming lotuses was my first sight. With joy in my heart, I started my unforgettable college life. At that moment, my overall impression of Shanghai/>/> was gray and yet my college was colorful.

I shared a dormitory with seven more girls; two of them were the natives of Shanghai. People outside of Shanghai/> had some misunderstandings and prejudices to Shanghai/>/> natives at that time, whom were described as the most astute people in the country. I was and am very proud of myself because I barely recognized a person based on where he/she came from. It turned out that my Shanghai/>/> roommates were good friends of mine. Maybe because I was only a student, I didn’t feel discrimination but respect in daily life. I was never able to speak Shanghai/>/> dialect though my listening skills were not bad. Many years later, a Hunan/> girl, who happened to work with me in the States, recalled her good memories about Shanghai/> and Shanghai/>/> people. The openness and fast-paced development in every societal aspects stood shanghai out of the other cities nationwide. Besides, the potential influences from multiple cultures in Shanghai/>/> also built up the people’s pride and confidence.

Guided by the serendipity of living in Shanghai, I made many friends who happened to be Shanghai natives in the States. And my good luck radiated my friend circle to the surrounding cities, such as Nanjing/> and Suzhou/>/>. I admit the characteristics of a city will inevitably impact people’s temperament and form a common stereotype. But I also believe one’s personality is individual dependent. So where a person comes from doesn’t bother me, what he/she behaves really matters.

My last visit to Shanghai/>/> was in 1997. From then on, my impression about Shanghai/>/> has switched to an energetic colorful one. I appreciate my seven-year-study experiences in the city, which help me to adapt to the new life in the States.