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. We’ve created this space to share authentic, youth-driven narratives that reflect the energy and perspectives of today’s young people. Through Gen Z Weekly, expect to hear directly from international students and Chinese youth about their campus lives, personal journeys, and thoughtful insights.

Wang Jingli

wangjingli0715@163.com

HALIM PARK is a South Korean international student with a unique distinction: she is also a Shenzhen native. While the city is famous for its motto for migrants, “You are a Shenzhener once you come here,” Park’s lifelong connection represents a different, emerging story — that of a second generation, born and raised in the bustling metropolis.

Campus life

Currently a junior majoring in English studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen), Park had hoped to stay near her family while pursuing higher education. When looking at universities, she heard about The Chinese University of Hong Kong’s new Shenzhen campus and immediately began to research it.

“I found out CUHK-Shenzhen offers great opportunities for foreign students, such as a multicultural environment, English-[language] courses, and scholarships. That’s why I chose CUHK-SZ,” said Park.

During university, Park has worked as a student helper in CUHK-Shenzhen’s Office of Academic Links (OAL). One of the most significant experiences Park gained from this job came when she served as a hotel staffer for the South Korean table tennis team, which was in town earlier this February to compete in the 34th International Table Tennis Federation-Asian Table Tennis Union Asian Cup (ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup).

“I was there helping as a translator and a hotel guide. I was also able to talk to famous table tennis players from South Korea. This is really a good opportunity and an unforgettable memory,” said Park.

The power of words and language

Park loves writing poetry and has published an electronic version of her poem collection in Korean. “They are mostly about my feelings and thoughts that come to me in my daily life. As for my poem-writing process, I just type words in my notepad app whenever a certain idea crosses my mind,” said Park.

Her relationship to poetry deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Everyone was in the lockdown for a long time, and I was stressed out because of the lockdown and my studies. Poetry became one of my stress-relieving methods from that time.”

Beyond helping her cope with difficult times, she explained that poetry has helped her grow personally. “My poems are like my diaries, since I freely write about my emotions and thoughts. Also, writing poems helps me to see things in different perspectives and to understand myself,” said Park.

In addition, Park has studied Chinese for over 10 years. “For me, learning Chinese is learning about Chinese culture. Like any other language... Chinese language is deeply integrated into its culture. I find it interesting to learn the hidden meaning of Chinese phrases.”

When asked if she found studying Chinese challenging, she stated, “Memorizing and writing Chinese characters are the most difficult parts of learning Chinese.”

Shenzhen, a true home

When describing Shenzhen, many would cite its innovation, high-tech gadgets, and convenience. However, the first thing that comes into Park’s mind is home. “I have great childhood friends who were Chinese; they never let me feel like a stranger but treated me just like one of them. So, Shenzhen is my home,” she said.

Her parents came to Shenzhen in 2002 for business and have lived in the city since then. Park sees growing up in Shenzhen as a blessing because it made her learn more than one language and culture and allowed her to meet people from various backgrounds. “This helped me to widen the spectrum of how I view the world... Most importantly, I met so many great people in this city,” she said.

Having lived in the city for years, Park has witnessed lots of changes. In Park’s eyes, the most dramatic change is how technology in the city has become so advanced. “For example, paying [for] everything with QR codes and online buying became deeply integrated into our lives in Shenzhen,” Park noted.

Speaking about the environment of the city, she shared, “Shenzhen is one of the safest places I’ve been to.”

In December, Park’s grandparents will be visiting Shenzhen. Park said she is so excited to give them a tour of the CUHK-Shenzhen campus. “They want to see the place where I study, and I also want to introduce our nice campus to my grandparents,” said Park.