A Shanghai Girl

“A Shanghai girl can pick and choose when and where her new and old values are appropriate to live out her dream.”

Calling herself A Shanghai Girl, Ye Na Wang tells of her time in Canada, her passions and dreams, how she eventually decided to return to China – and how she has experienced the best of both worlds.

By Ye Na Wang

When most of your beliefs and values are suddenly in called into question and not appreciated, you begin questioning yourself.  Have you ever been so confused to the point that you just give up trying to figure it out?

In today’s society, most people strive to live in peace and harmony.  More and more people have adopted the theory of balance.  Meanwhile, the craving for this type of lifestyle comes from just the opposite:  lack of peace and harmony.  My story is an example of this type of conflict: Trying to find balance. 

Just before the new millennium, I had the lucky opportunity to go abroad to “absorb gold” along with my family.  It was a chance to experience the western world and its culture as a teenager, which would place me in a unique position in both cultures; or would it?
I experienced what Canadian teenagers experienced during those 10 years.  I graduated from the University of Ottawa, had my fun, studied hard and worked during my schooling. I was a waitress, a marketing director, a clothing store owner and operator, even a professional singer. 

I lived the North American dream. 

A Shanghai girl with boundless dreams who loves to see and experience, giving her confidence, attitude and the belief that anything is possible. Nothing is impossible, no fear, just endless energy to put into her dreams.  She has earned respect and is appreciated for her hard work and perseverance.

So with the same naivety and the same passion this Shanghai girl faced a crossroad in life.  Should she stay on and start her career in Canada or should she return to her homeland and pursue her future there?  

She chose to return to China… with her combined Eastern and Western values.

She carries back to China her acquired knowledge from a Canadian university and Canadian culture. She is now a critical thinker armed with questions and new answers for life’s challenges. She is ready to serve the workplace and society.

She begins to use her newly learned tools.  She is determined to make a difference.  But the new ideas, communication skills, creative approaches and an open mindedness has come face to face with the conventional Chinese culture. 

Work relations, as well as personal relations are met in a different light here.  The stiff code of conduct is one of pride and irrefutable rules in China.  The western relaxed values and beliefs clash with the eastern philosophy.  Privacy boundaries differ greatly, as do open opinions. 

A yellow skin with 10 years in the West, now back in the East, is trying to fit in.  Struggling, learning and experiencing - along with the laughter and the tears - maybe it is just the complexity of today’s reality. Or maybe it is simply how this generation has evolved. Love it, hate it, accept it or ignore it, it is all mind games. Or is it just a painful part of growing up? 

Reality is always there to test our beliefs and core values.  A Shanghai girl must always believe in herself and never lose sight of who she is on the inside.  She can pick and choose when and where her new and old values are appropriate to live out her dream.

Because of my upbringing - cultural backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and values are all unique to me.  I choose to let my music play my tune and meet life’s challenges and to sing many songs from my heart with great passion. I dance with the beat of my own drum. This is the voice within. This is the real wonder of a westernized outside, but with a traditional Shanghai girl inside. In most people’s eye - she’s got it all.