Editor’s note

Welcome to Gen Z Weekly, our new column dedicated to showcasing the voices and experiences of Generation Z in Shenzhen and beyond. Through Gen Z Weekly, expect to hear directly from international students and Chinese youth about their campus lives, personal journeys, and thoughtful insights.

Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

WHEN Inass Elouafi first arrived in China from Morocco, she armed herself with two things: an academic ambition for cutting-edge technology and a willingness to be a beginner again. It was the latter that truly unlocked her future in the bustling, hyper-modern metropolis of Shenzhen.

“I just love the city,” Elouafi said, her voice brimming with an enthusiasm that has helped her navigate multiple internships, countless trips, and the demanding schedule of a final-year university student. This affection for Shenzhen is the cornerstone of a narrative that spans from the historical museums of Nanjing to the cutting-edge genomics labs of BGI in Shenzhen.

Tech ambition and

cultural curiosity

Elouafi first arrived in China in 2023, drawn by a powerful dual attraction. “My initial interest was a combination of academic ambition and personal curiosity,” she explained. As an aspiring computer science student, she had been closely following China’s rapid technological advancements, particularly in AI and bioinformatics. But beyond the code and algorithms, she was captivated by the depth of its history.

“I remember, as I came here the first month… I started going to every museum in Nanjing,” she recalled. “Learning about a civilization with thousands of years of history while it’s still shaping its future felt like a unique opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”

This blend — the desire to be at the forefront of technology while immersing herself in a rich, new cultural context — proved to be an irresistible draw. She enrolled in a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science at the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, setting the stage for her Chinese adventure.

The human element

Like many from outside the country, Elouafi’s pre-arrival image of China was shaped by media headlines: skyscrapers in Shanghai, the Great Wall in Beijing, and a fast-paced, smart, and modernized society. While reality included these elements, often exceeding her expectations, it was the human connection that left the most lasting impression.

“My image was of a massive impersonal system, but the reality was filled with personal connections,” she noted, her tone warming. She described Chinese students at her university patiently helping her with Mandarin and colleagues at internships inviting her for meals. “The human element, for me, was the most beautiful and unexpected part.”

Her first encounter with Shenzhen was nothing short of cinematic. While visiting an American friend who ran a startup, she was immediately struck by the city’s “overwhelming energy.”

“It felt like stepping into the future,” she said. “From the airport, you’re struck by the efficiency and the modernity.” She recalled the buzz of innovation and construction and the sight of skyscrapers in Nanshan and Futian districts. “I remember I was thinking, this is where things are happening. It was intimidating at first, but really exciting.”

BGI internship

A pivotal chapter in Elouafi’s story was her internship at BGI, the global genomics giant headquartered in Shenzhen. She first joined in July 2024 and later participated in a joint program with the prestigious Sun Yat-sen University, focusing on medical AI and statistics.

For a computer science student, this was a deliberate and strategic choice. “It’s a little bit easy for computer science students to go to other companies… like pure technology, building apps, or websites,” she explained. “But for me, I really wanted to go to the life sciences field or something that’s really impactful.”

BGI offered the perfect alignment. “The chance to work with next-generation sequencing data was a golden opportunity,” she stated. “I saw it as a way to apply my skills in algorithms and data analysis to a field that has direct, tangible benefits on human health.”

The experience was eye-opening. The most fascinating thing she learned was the “sheer scale and speed of dynamic data processing” in a biological context. “It really made me realize that modern biology isn’t just done in a wet lab. It’s driven by algorithms, data pipelines, and powerful computing,” she said, an understanding that solidified her belief that the future of science lies at its intersection with technology.

A digital native in a

cashless society

As a member of Gen Z, Elouafi is a digital native, but China’s hyper-digitalized ecosystem still presented its share of culture shocks. The most significant? “The absolute dominance of mobile payments.”

“I knew it was common, but I wasn’t really prepared for a society that is almost entirely cashless,” she laughed while recounting the time a street vendor looked confused when she tried to pay with physical money. She quickly adapted and now, like any local, relies on a suite of Chinese apps for daily life.

“Without a doubt, WeChat is the number one. It’s really the operating system for life in China,” she said, noting how it integrates messaging, payments, food ordering, and official documentation. She also frequently uses Alipay, Didi for transport, and Meituan for food delivery.

A city of ‘dreamers and doers’

When asked about Shenzhen’s overall energy, Elouafi’s answer was swift. “The energy is contagious here,” she began. “They always say that it’s a city built by dreamers and doers. Every person that you meet in Shenzhen either has a dream or is doing something really great.”

She attributed this to the city’s nature as a hub for migrants. “Because almost everyone is from somewhere else… there is a shared sense of ambition and a lack of rigid tradition.” This creates an environment where people are “open, willing to experiment, and focused on the next big thing.”

From the tech giants in Nanshan to the bustling makers and electronics markets of Huaqiangbei — a personal favorite — she feels this entrepreneurial spirit is woven into the city’s very DNA. “It really pushes you to think bigger and work harder.”

Travel, food, and a future rooted in China

Elouafi has used her time in China to travel extensively, painting a vibrant map of her experiences. She describes Xiamen as a “gem,” raves about the “splendid” Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou, and enjoys classic gardens in Suzhou. In Shanghai, a city she visits frequently from Nanjing, she prefers taking the ferry along the Huangpu River for a unique view of the Bund rather than just standing and looking.

Her culinary adventures are just as diverse. In Nanjing, duck is a clear favorite, while in Shenzhen, she’s developed a taste for classic Cantonese dim sum and comforting clay pot rice.

As she approaches graduation, her future plans are firmly anchored in China, preferably Shenzhen. While she is still deciding between pursuing a master’s degree immediately or working first, one thing is certain. “I want to pursue either my education in Shenzhen or work in Shenzhen. That’s one thing I’m sure of.”

Professionally, her time at BGI has cemented her desire to work at the intersection of tech, data, and life sciences. Personally, navigating a new culture has given her a “huge confidence boost.”

Advice for the next wave

For other international students considering a similar path, Elouafi’s advice is heartfelt and practical. “Come with an open mind and willingness to be a beginner again,” she said. She emphasizes breaking out of the international student bubble, making local friends, and making a concerted effort to learn basic Mandarin.

“There will be frustrating moments with bureaucracy or language barriers,” she admitted, “but the personal and professional growth, your experience, is unmatched. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s 100% worth it.”