A Decade in Shanghai: Losing Touch with My Midwestern Roots

Back in 2015, I arrived in Shanghai from Chicago, carrying a year-long contract and dreams of new experiences, yet slightly unprepared for the journey that awaited me.

Having lived in diverse places like Israel and Argentina, I fancied myself a seasoned traveler who would adjust with ease. Reality soon taught me otherwise.

Adapting to China's unique way of life meant blending in with its vast universe. Shanghai's massive urban maze soon became home as I acclimated to local habits, even embracing boiling tea despite the summer heat.

A Tale of Mutual Culture Shock

In these initial years in China, any acknowledgment of my improving Chinese was a rarity and a delight. Yet, nothing prepared me for the pointed 'laowai' remarks from curious onlookers.

Despite my immersions in Chinese culture, through language and media, I remained the perpetual outsider.

Rediscovering My Roots

I revisited my hometown recently and embraced our local traditions at the Minnesota State Fair, yet I felt much like the outsider I had been in China.

Among familiar faces, my origins felt distant, as if I no longer shared the same cultural touchstones as my Midwestern peers.

Customs once second nature now seemed foreign.

Building a New Concept of Home

Over time, my understanding of home has evolved, shaped by the traditions of both East and West. I have embraced practices like drinking hot water as a remedy and trusting in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

This journey has reshaped my identity, meshing my Western upbringing with the influences of my life in China.

Navigating the Expatriot Experience

Like many expatriates, I find myself caught between two worlds, neither a visitor nor a native; my experiences have forged a unique identity devoid of clear boundaries.

The thrill of impromptu travel across Asia offers a different vision of life, replacing familiar suburban dreams with new adventures.

Reconciling Dual Existences

Now, I perceive those moments of being labeled 'laowai' not as alienation, but as badges of cultural navigation and personal growth.

Moving forward, I realize my journey isn't about settling entirely in any one culture, but about finding a harmonious balance between them.

As I continue to build my life in Shanghai, I relish the myriad challenges that come with it.