Day 6

(Mireya Cervantes – Electromechanical Maintenance)

Today was our free day in Shanghai, China. After many days filled with educational activities, cultural experiences, and university visits, it was exciting to have an entire day to explore one of the world's largest cities on our own.

We began our morning by taking the train from our hotel into downtown Shanghai. Riding the public transportation system was an experience by itself. The train stations were very modern, organized, and incredibly busy. Even with the large number of people traveling throughout the city, everything moved well. It was impressive to see how many people rely on public transportation every day.

When we arrived downtown, we immediately noticed the incredible skyline. Seeing the Shanghai skyline in person was something I had always wanted to experience. Standing along the waterfront while looking across the Huangpu River was one of my favorite moments of the entire program.

Throughout the day, we had the opportunity to walk through several shopping districts  with many stores, restaurants, and people from all over the world. We visited many different shops, looked for souvenirs to bring home to our families, and enjoyed exploring the different styles of stores. 

One thing that stood out to me was how clean and organized the city was despite the large number of people. The streets were constantly busy, but everything still felt orderly. 

We visited some of Shanghai's most famous landmarks, including the waterfront known as The Bund. Seeing both the buildings on one side of the river and the modern skyscrapers on the other side was incredible. 

When it got dark, the city looked even better. The skyscrapers had colorful lights that reflected across the river. It was one of the most beautiful nighttime views I have ever seen. Many people were also walking along the waterfront to admire the skyline and take photographs.