Project makes expats feel right at home

When he arrived in the city, he says he felt like he was "coming home".

"That's the first feeling I had with Shanghai and I decided to stay. It was the best choice I ever made because every single day, I feel like the happiest person ever in Shanghai because of the buildings, the people, the food, everything," Le Compte says. "If there was a life before, I am sure I was Shanghainese."

Ethan Robertson from the US has lived in China for 10 years and stayed in Shanghai for about six years. In his video, he shares his life in the city as an automotive influencer.

Despite being a car reviewer, Robertson doesn't have a car. One major reason is that "Shanghai is so convenient".

He takes the subway and uses shared bikes for his daily commute. He became so used to digital payments that when he returned to the US, he would forget to bring his wallet to the grocery store.

Above all, Robertson enjoys his life in Shanghai because it is where his dream came true.

Robertson loves cars and driving. He says China's automobile industry is currently "the center of attention for the world", with Shanghai playing an important role.

"My dream has always been to find a job that combines my interests and expertise but I didn't expect that dream to come true in Shanghai," he says. "I provide objective reviews of Chinese cars from a foreign perspective to help people inside and outside China better understand the rapid progress of the Chinese automotive industry, especially new energy vehicles. If you want to think of me as an ambassador to the world for Chinese cars, I'm fine with that."

Mahmoud Soliman, an Egyptian who teaches at the Department of Arabic Language at Shanghai International Studies University, lives with his dog Malika. He adores Shanghai for its pet-friendly environment and convenient international services.

Shanghai is where he came to love dogs due to his frequent, pleasant encounters with his neighbor's dogs. In 2021, he decided to adopt Malika, who has been a constant companion, following him everywhere.

Home to more than 9,000 cafes, Shanghai has emerged as one of the world's coffee capitals in the past few years and hasn't forgotten to reserve a cup for man's best friend. Malika usually enjoys his "puppiccino" while Soliman savors his fresh brew.

To Soliman's delight, the Shanghai Museum, which hosts a grand exhibition on ancient Egypt, offered 10 cat-friendly sessions, allowing visitors to bring their furry friends.

Soliman says he enjoys exploring the city with Malika and uses the city's newly launched portal International Services Shanghai, which has allowed him to easily keep track of the city's vibrant scene. The multilingual portal provides detailed service information, news updates and useful tips specifically designed for Shanghai expats seeking information on business, employment, travel, education and shopping.

"That's why I love Shanghai," Soliman says, "because it is such a friendly city."