Shanghai Life: Beyond the Two Year Slump

Shanghai Life: Beyond the Two Year Slump
By Andrea Scarlatelli , eChinacities.com

While it's never easy adjusting to a brand new culture and way of life when moving to China, some milestones are easier than others. Many people struggle their first year in Shanghai, but find that the excitement and newness of everything more than makes up for the homesickness. Before you know it, you've settled in – made friends, know where the hippest bars are, danced at the most exclusive clubs… and then you arrive at the Two Year Slump. The party-all-night lifestyle seems, well, repetitive. You wonder if this city is anything more than a jumble of neon lights, cheap liquor, and air pollution. But there are ways to get over this depressive mentality, and it all starts with changing up your routine. Think you know Shanghai? Here are some suggestions to help you see a different side of this dynamic city.

1) Volunteer
There is simply no better way to feel better about yourself than to help others in need. Volunteering at any level will introduce you to like-minded people and show you that yes, there are worthwhile endeavors happening here beyond the bar scene. Simply pick an area that interests you and go. Environment your thing? Check out Roots and Shoots, an environmental and humanitarian group founded by Dr. Jane Goodall (yes, the woman with the gorillas) that organizes events such as the "Million Tree Project" that resulted in the planting of 10,000 trees in its first year (2007) and over 200,000 trees this year. Want to help those who need emotional support? Fill out an application for Lifeline Shanghai, a crisis hotline staffed entirely by (trained) volunteers. You'll be helping those in distress by providing a sympathetic ear and referring them to counselors throughout the city. Not sure what you want to help with? BEAN, a social and volunteer group, has organized events in Shanghai to raise money for everything from AIDS orphans to the genocide in Darfur.

Roots and Shoots
Website: www.jgi-shanghai.org

Lifeline Shanghai
Website: http://www.lifelineshanghai.com

BEAN
Website: shanghai.beanonline.org

2) Join a book club
Rest assured, these are not your mother's book clubs! Get together with your fellow book lovers to discuss specific novels and the major life themes that they entail. Debates often turn lively, which makes it all the more fun. Shanghai Stuff organizes an informal gathering over coffee every Saturday, while the Penguin Classics Lunch held at the Glamour Bar is a bit more buttoned down. 188 RMB gets you a three-course meal and tea or coffee, and often involves a visit from the actual author. You have to make reservations in advance, though, so call (021) 6350-9988 to get a spot. The Community Center Shanghai also has its own book club, with each book running five weeks. You also have to sign up for this one, as they limit the number to twelve people.  

Shanghai Stuff
Website: http://www.shanghaistuff.com/group/shanghaibookclub

Penguin Classics Lunch
Website: http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/mbund/Upcoming-events.html

Community Center Shanghai
Website: www.communitycenter.cn

3) Check out some art shows:
Shanghai is crazy artistic, so why not experience some of it for yourself? From alternative art (think videos of naked people standing on vibrating platforms – seriously) to classics (Salvador Dali has been a highlight) to up-and-coming locals, you can find it all within the bounds of the city. Keep an eye out for art show openings to make it a social event, or go it alone to enjoy some much needed quiet. These galleries will get you started, but there are plenty more where these came from.

18 GalleryView In Map
Add: 4/F, Bund 18, 18 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Nanjing D., Shanghai
地址: 上海市中山东一路18号4楼, 近南京东路
Tel: 021 6323 8099

Montaigne GalleryView In Map
Add: 87 Moganshan Lu, near Changhua Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市莫干山路87号, 近昌化路
Tel: 021 6298 9766
1918 ArtSPACEView In Map
Add: 78 Changping Lu, Shanghai
地址: 上海市昌平路78号,近西苏州河路
Tel: 021 5228 6776
Leo GalleryView In Map
Add: Red House 2, Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu , near Tai'an Lu
地址: 上海市武康路376号红房子2楼 近湖南路
Tel: 021 5465 8785
Contrasts GalleryView In Map
Add: 181 Middle Jiangxi Road, G/F near Fuzhou Lu
地址: 上海市江西中路181号1楼 近福州路
Tel: 021 6323 1989

4) Join a film club
It's like a book club, but with movies! Gather together with other movie buffs to watch a film, then tear it apart. The Jameson Movie Club tends to be all over the board with their movie selections, so check out their schedule online for films, dates, and locations. Entry is always free, with a tub of popcorn thrown in for good measure. The Alliance Francaise de Shanghai is a bit more reliable, seeing as all their films are French (surprise!). This is the place to go when you feel like putting your movie critic skills to good use.

Jameson Movie Club
Website: www.jamesonstudios.cn

Alliance Francaise de Shanghai
Website: http://www.afshanghai.org

5) Take Chinese lessons
So you've been here a year already and you still haven't gotten around to taking Mandarin lessons? I know, you were going to, but [insert excuse here] and you just haven't gotten around to it yet. Well, enough excuses – there are plenty of Chinese schools around for those wanting full-time or part-time lessons, and you'll feel much more confident as you begin to navigate Shanghai with ease.

iMandarin
Website: http://www.imandarin.net

Mandarin House
Website: http://www.mandarinhouse.cn

Mandarin Garden
Website: http://www.mandaringarden.org

6) Join a writing group
Writing groups are for those who want to get their work out in a safe, supportive environment – and who aren't afraid to have a little fun in the process. Gatherings like H.A.L. Groupthink tend to evolve from writing to drinking to talking about life in general. Topics are given beforehand for this twice a month group, but don't worry if you're not quite ready to dive in – they welcome people to sit in, even if they haven't written anything. Shadumai is a weekly gathering that encourages you to bring in anything you've written recently and share it with the group. The variety and range of styles makes for interesting discussions.
H.A.L. Groupthink
Website: http://www.haliterature.com/category/uncategorized
Shadumai
Website: http://www.shadumai.com

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Keywords: Volunteer in Shanghai Shanghai writing clubs Shanghai film clubs Shanghai book clubs Shanghai art shows

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