From Shanghai to Hainan: My Experience in China
When I boarded my flight to Shanghai on May 18th, I was filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation. I knew that the next few months would be full of new experiences and life lasting influences. From studying at Tongji University to exploring China’s breathtaking landscapes, my journey held lots of experiences. Here are some of them:
Life at Tongji University
My adventure began at Tongji University, where I studied until July 31st. Living on Siping Road, directly in front of the university’s entrance, was convenient during my time at Tongji but became a bit exhausting when I started working at another location in this mega city, but it also held a big upside I was close to the Football pitch.
One of my best memories is playing football with fellow students. I often went with some German friends from my IBAIT (International Business Administration and IT) course, and on the pitch, we would almost always meet loads of other students playing football or other sports. What fascinated me was the diversity on the pitch; because in China, outside of campus, foreigners are quite the rarity. On the pitch, however, it was often one-third foreigners and the rest Chinese.
While playing with others, I often talked with my teammates and was frequently surprised to find out where they were from. I spoke to people from the Caribbean, Turkmenistan, Somalia, and Zambia. Most of them had received scholarships from the Chinese government. The diversity and international atmosphere made these experiences truly enriching.
Diving into the Professional World with SAP China
After my time at Tongji, I transitioned to an exciting opportunity with SAP China. Working in Shanghai, I build a Graph Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) model using customer data, which I then integrated into Joule. I visualized the generated graphs and did preprocessing efforts to optimize model performance. This hands-on experience deepened my knowledge in Python, Graph Theory, and Data Science while also allowing me to contribute to SAP’s cutting-edge projects.
This role gave me the chance to witness the intersection of AI and enterprise solutions, which was both challenging and rewarding.
Exploring China’s ‘hidden’ Gems
Beyond academics and work, I seized every opportunity to explore China’s rich culture and stunning landscapes.
-Nanjing: I visited the BASF-Sinopec Joint-Venture, witnessing firsthand the advancements in chemical engineering and sustainable practices. The experience was enlightening and added a new dimension to my understanding of global industries.
-Hainan: Is China’s most southern province, and is so much in the south that it has tropical climate. I spent days surfing and relaxing on the pristine beaches, soaking in the sun and the laid-back island vibes.
-Guilin: The picturesque landscapes of Guilin left me in awe. Driving our scooters in the region, surrounded by towering karst mountains, felt like stepping into a traditional Chinese painting.
-Hangzhou: Known for its historic West Lake, Hangzhou offered a serene escape. The blend of natural beauty and rich history made it one of my most cultural destinations(But im still more the beach or action type not the visiting just for the looks).
-Shangrao: A lesser-known gem, Shangrao’s natural parks and cultural sites provided a unique glimpse into rural Chinese life and a breathtaking mountain range around Sanqingshan.