The day started bright and early: The morning was spent completing their medical examinations — a key step for the visa applications that lie ahead. With that sorted, the group headed to campus for the official program orientation.

Back on campus, the DHIC team gave the students a warm welcome. Jacky Li, DHIC Program Director, welcomed the group and explained key program procedures to the students. Chrissie Wang, Director of International Student Admission and Management at ECNU, then  shared important information about classes and life in Shanghai.

Of course, no first day would be complete without a proper Shanghai welcome. a welcome dinner at Shanghai No. 1, a much-loved local restaurant serving classic Shanghainese cuisine. Dish after dish arrived  — each one a new discovery, greeted with wide eyes and eager chopsticks. Sweet, savory, and everything in between, the flavors of Shanghai won everyone over, and by the end of the evening there wasn't a plate left untouched. Laughter filled the room as our students officially fell for Shanghai, one dish at a time.