When Mohammed Faisal Al Shehhi appeared for an interview on the last day of National Day, our conversation started in English, then briefly faded into Mandarin, which the Dubai native speaks perfectly. I moved.
Currently studying mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan and Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Shanghai, he is in some ways a blender of two cultures.
His mother grew up in China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region and taught him Mandarin, but he is pleased that Mandarin is becoming increasingly common in school curricula in his native United Arab Emirates (UAE). .
It was thanks to his mother that he decided to study in Shanghai.
“I applied to numerous universities from England to Australia,” he says. “China wasn’t on my priority list until my mom suggested I seriously consider it.
After researching several universities in China, he discovered that the University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (UM-SJTU JI) offered an opportunity that matched his ambitions. He applied and started studying here in September 2023.
Jiaotong University is “one of the most respected universities in China,” he said. “The focus is on the student, not only in the learning experience, but also in enriching extracurricular activities. The core values of this university are qualities I truly admire.”
Wang Lixin / SHINE
Mohammed Faisal Al Shehhi
Shehi said he is impressed by how determined, disciplined and hardworking the students are here.
“They’re hard workers,” he said. “It’s really, really inspiring for me to see them strive every day. They have goals that they are determined to achieve and they take advantage of every opportunity that is offered to them. truly driven towards success.”
Our conversation takes place in the university’s Ryubi Building, shortly after Shehi returns from a vacation trip. This spacious building features an atrium with a terrace and comfortable sofas and desks. Students are given ample space to study, eat, and nap.
Shehi said she has fallen in love with Shanghai, calling it “one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever been to. What I like about this city is that unlike the UAE, where the summers are very hot but comfortable. “You can feel the four seasons,” he said. winter. ”
He added, “When I was young, I used to go to Inner Mongolia every summer to see my grandparents, and even at that time of year it was very cool and pleasant.”
Shehi pointed out similarities between Shanghai and Dubai. For example, both are financial centers.
Wang Lixin / SHINE
Mohamed Faisal Al Shehhi stands at the entrance of the Longbin Building, which houses a joint research institute between the University of Michigan and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Shehi said there is no reason for international students to be obsessed with home-cooked meals because Shanghai has such a wide variety of cuisines.
“Whether it’s Arab food or Indian food, you can find everything you want in Shanghai,” he says.
The distance between his campus in Minhang District and downtown is unobstructed, with a Metro Line 15 station just outside the university and shared bikes available.
“It’s easy to get anywhere in Shanghai, as even the most remote locations are usually just a one- to two-hour journey,” he said. “Everything is very accessible. It’s a very cosmopolitan and friendly city.”
A typical day for Shehi revolves around three activities.
“The first one is training in the gym. I also love wrestling, which I started doing during my military service in the UAE,” he said. “The second thing is studying. Usually I study three to four hours a day in the library or in the dormitory. And the third thing is good food.”
This routine is occasionally broken by special events, such as a recent forum in Shenzhen commemorating the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE.
There, he hosted a session on the cultural aspects of his homeland, aimed at dispelling the common misconception that the UAE is only about money and Lamborghinis.
After completing his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Shehi said he would like to return to the UAE and play a role in fostering “fruitful relations” between the two countries, one in which “we can deepen mutual understanding, learn and grow together.” Ta. ”
