At SBC in Shanghai, students from around the globe come together, each bringing their own background and aspirations. This is a place to start your journey—a compact campus that sends you out into a world of possibilities.
Often, the best part of studying here often lies in the unexpected: the genuine friendship formed after mustering the courage to connect, the kind guidance offered when you’re lost, the quiet corner discovered in the middle of the city, or the deeper understanding of a culture you once only read about—now felt through firsthand experience.
In this feature, our international students share glimpses of their daily lives. Through their honest, vivid, and sometimes wonderfully awkward moments of exploration and growth, a living, breathing portrait of SBC comes together.
Aaron Jian Xie Ortiz
Country: Panama
Programme: Electronic Engineering
Q: Share a story of a cultural misunderstanding that eventually led to a stronger friendship or a valuable lesson in communication.
A: During a collaborative project, I experienced one of my first cultural miscommunications in Shanghai. I was accustomed to the informal, conversation-starting style of Panamanian individuals. But initially, my Chinese classmates were much quieter. I took the initiative and began making the majority of the decisions because I thought they weren't engaged in the work. Afterwards, one of them gently pulled me aside and told me that they were giving me room because they believed I liked to take the lead. They actually had a lot of suggestions, but they didn't want to interrupt. Once we talked about it, our group dynamic completely changed—we became more balanced, shared responsibilities better, and actually became good friends. It taught me that assumptions can easily create misunderstandings if you don’t talk things out.
Q: How have your interactions with classmates changed your initial perceptions of your own culture and theirs?
A: Before coming to Shanghai, I thought cultural differences would make it difficult to connect with classmates. But the more I talked with people, the more I realized that we all share similar goals—studying, improving our future, enjoying student life. Interacting with classmates from China and other countries helped me appreciate the discipline and group-focused mindset many of them grew up with. At the same time, they showed interest in my Panamanian background and were surprised by how warm and expressive Latin culture is. These exchanges made me reflect on my own identity as someone who is both Panamanian and Chinese. I began to appreciate both sides more deeply, and I also became more open-minded about other cultures.
Andrew Liurencius
Country: Indonesia
Programme: Business Management
Q: How have the teaching methods or mentorship at SBC influenced your future academic or career goals?
A: SBC’s teaching style and mentorship have had a big impact on how I see my future. As an international student from Indonesia studying business management, I really appreciated how classes were more like conversations than lectures. We were encouraged to challenge ideas, use real examples, and actually think like managers not just memorize theories.
What stood out the most was how supportive the lecturers were. They didn’t just teach; they listened, gave honest advice, and pushed me to see what I’m capable of. Because of that, I’ve become more confident about pursuing a global career and aiming for roles where communication and strategic thinking matter.
Overall, SBC didn’t just help me succeed academically, it helped me figure out the kind of career I want to build.
Q: How has living in Shanghai impacted your daily life, independence, or worldview?
A: Living in Shanghai for the past two months has changed me more than I expected. Coming from Indonesia, suddenly being in a city this fast, modern, and full of energy pushed me to grow up quickly. Figuring out the metro, learning how to order food, and handling daily life in a new language made me much more independent and sure of myself.
What surprised me most is how much the city has opened up my perspective. Every day I meet people from different backgrounds, and it feels like I’m living in a place where the future is happening right in front of me. These two months haven’t just been an adjustment, they’ve helped me understand the kind of person I want to become and the possibilities waiting ahead.