“But I realized that knowing about a place is very different from living, however briefly, within its rhythms.”
Jenny Wu, 2026 Summer Internship Participant
November 2, 2026
Today, when I hear the word “China,” a constellation of memories fills my head: days spent exploring ancient Chinese history and navigating centuries-old artifacts of the Tang Dynasty; round tables of endless talk, tasting the delicacies of Northern China; lively nights of karaoke with other HCSIP members, many of whom I have come to know in so many different lights; and sunny weekends venturing to nearby cities, witnessing the diversity of beauty and culture of this place.
This summer has made me reconsider what it means to know a place. I had certainly read and heard plenty about China before arriving—from Chinese family members, from Western media, and even from previous late-night conversations with peers about economics, trade, and the ways different societies operate under different systems. But I realized that knowing about a place is very different from living, however briefly, within its rhythms. My idea of China is now also adorned with the artistry and ornamental detail of ‘hanfu’, the precision and tranquility of ‘taijiquan’, and the refreshing frankness of the man at the ‘baozi’ shop each morning.
Over these past two months, I also started paying more attention to the people around me in the bustle of Shanghai: the ‘waimai’ drivers arduously making deliveries through the summer heat; my coworkers, each with their own inspiring stories for choosing nonprofit work and caring deeply about education; the auntie who would shake her head teasingly whenever I attempted to bargain. I began to realize that, in many ways, no matter where we are in the world, people are not so different from one another. We all have our obligations, our private struggles, the people we cherish, our leaden worries, and our own ways of traversing through everyday life. I am extremely grateful for the chance to live here this summer, because it was through these ordinary moments that I began to notice details of people’s lives I never could have seen from afar.
Years from now, this experience may materialize on paper as a single line on a CV. But I hope that when we hear the word “China,” memories will flood back: late-night conversations and mahjong, strolls enjoying the view of the Huangpu river, eventful side quests with friends, and all the little moments that will still bring a slight smile—reminders of everything this place allowed me to discover, both a bit more about China and about myself.
To learn more about the Harvard China Fund Internship program, click here.