A survey conducted by the Canadian branch of the Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association revealed the current situation of Canadian returnees in Shanghai.

The academic credentials of the Canadian returnees. [Photo/ Eastday]

According to the questionnaire, in recent years, the number of returnees increased exponentially, with a trend of lowering ages and higher academic credentials. Moreover, Shanghai's charm in the eyes of the returnees is increasing day by day, whether in terms of the business environment, the living environment or the international openness.

To get a detailed knowledge of the returnees’ feelings about Shanghai's policy, business and living environment, the questionnaire contained eight aspects to dynamically analyze Shanghai's urban competitiveness.The 427 valid responses show that the vast majority of returnees highly recognizeShanghai's internationalization, career development potential, workplace atmosphere, and welfare system.

Brian, born in the 1980s in Taiwan, worked in Silicon Valley in the United States for a while before coming to Shanghai to start a business.He is now working on the design and manufacturing of automotive electronics. In his opinion, Shanghai is the cornerstone of his journey around the world.“Why is it Shanghai? Then I tell you that being successful in Shanghai means being successful in China. Only if you succeed here in China, can you be successful in the world!" said Brian.

Du Hao, a member of the post-70s generation received a master's degree from the University of Toronto and also holds Canadian citizenship. In 2007, Du came to Shanghai to work for a foreign bank as an executive of its Shanghai headquarter. In 2018, Du founded his own education consulting company.

Regarding why he chose Shanghai to develop his career, Dusaid that with an inclusive urban spirit, Shanghai is not only friendly to returnees, but equally treatspeople from all over the country."No matter where you come from, as long as you are well-trained and are willing to work hard, Shanghai has a sounddevelopment platform," evaluated Du.

For returnees like himself, Du praised Shanghai's business atmosphere as being "quite professional” and the refined and humanized urban management is also satisfyinglysuitable for the development of returnees.