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.