Passport Nationality
United States of America
Current City
Shanghai, China
Current School
Concordia International School Shanghai
What was one China stereotype that you thought before moving?
Rice, rice, and more rice. I definitely thought that was all I’d be eating for my 4 years in China.
How wrong were you?
I was so wrong it hurts to type this. I can’t believe my little 5th grade self assumed that about China, there are so many different types of food here it’s borderline overwhelming.
Favorite spot in your city
I know I’m supposed to say the Bund or the Pearl Tower, and don’t get me wrong those are great, but to be truthful it’s wherever my friends are. Whenever you’re with the people you connect with here, all the insane places to visit in Shanghai are that much more spectacular.
Coolest travel experience since living in China
Koh Samui, Thailand, no question.
Favorite school trip
This school year’s Interim trip to Hainan!
What are the top school activities you’re involved in?
Varsity soccer, freshmen volleyball, Model United Nations, and the Best Buddies Club.
Have you won any awards or worked on any awesome projects that you wouldn’t have been able to back home?
No doubt. I got to work with disabled children and take them to the beach in an upcoming shelter in Hainan, hang out regularly with teens with autism from a local school, and win 3rd place overall for documentary films at National History Day China!
Write a piece of advice you would have liked to have before moving to China.
To be completely honest, I would love to have been told about the language. After living in China for 4 years, I would say the most important thing is to apply yourself to learning Mandarin. I know what you’re thinking, “ew, learning,” but trust me, speaking even a tiny bit of Mandarin gives you a huge advantage. Shopping and negotiating, taking taxis, even just ordering food at a restaurant becomes so much easier. Get going with learning Chinese early! (It impresses your friends back home too.)
What is your fav Chinese dish?
Sweet and sour chicken, wow I didn’t even have to think about that one.
Are chopsticks hard?
All I have to say about that is I love forks.
Got any fake market tips?
Be aggressive. You better be ready to deck people, shove your way through a crowd, and negotiate the heck out of a saleswomen. The fake market is not a joke, it gets real in there.
What was one special opportunity or activity you got to participate in while living in China? (Did you get an award for it?)
There are so many. One of the ones that had the most impact on me was working with disabled children at a shelter in Hainan, China. I know I keep mentioning it, but I honestly got so much out of just that 5 day trip.
What else did we miss in your life that you’d like to share?
Almost every day I think back and ask myself, “Taylor, what would my life be like if I hadn’t moved to China?” And every single time I physically cannot come up with an answer, I can’t even begin to imagine my life if I hadn’t come to China. Throughout my entire existence, almost 15 years, I can easily say it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
