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. Yang Mei yangmei_szdaily@163.com CHONG WEN SZE, currently pursuing a master’s in management at Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS), is a polyglot with a passion for connecting cultures. Hailing from Penang, Malaysia, the 25-year-old speaks English, Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, and Korean. Choosing PHBS and Shenzhen Chong chose PHBS primarily for its academic rigor and prestigious reputation. She was drawn to its high rankings, extensive resources, and the English-language programs offered in economics, finance, and management. The strong connections the university has with multinational companies and its diverse student body also appealed to her, creating an ideal environment for career growth. Shenzhen’s tech-driven ecosystem was an added bonus that further solidified her decision to pursue a master’s degree in the city. “Shenzhen is known as a dynamic hub with a vibrant business ecosystem — and tech and innovation ongoing — so I wanted to come here for new opportunities,” Chong told Shenzhen Daily. Upon arriving, the city exceeded her expectations with its towering skyscrapers, convenient public transportation, and seamless logistics. However, it was Shenzhen’s diverse cultural landscape that truly captivated her. Describing Shenzhen as a “melting pot in motion,” she said “people from across China and the world come here and bring their diverse traditions, which is really special.” A leader in student life As the newly elected vice president of the International Student Union (ISU) at PHBS for the 2025-2026 academic year, Chong is dedicated to fostering a welcoming community for international students. Recognizing the challenges of adapting to a new country and culture, her goal is to create a supportive “home away from home,” bridging the gap between the university and its international students. One key initiative she was involved in before becoming the vice president is organizing company visits. A recent visit to Société Générale Hong Kong, a French financial services company, offered students a rare glimpse into the financial sector, including a tour of the trading floor. With around 15 first-year students, the ISU is structured into four teams: leadership, media, activities, and business. The Media Team has been particularly successful, gaining over 2,000 followers within three months on their Instagram account, @phbsisu, by posting activities, tips, and engaging content. Its business team focuses on career-related events, partnering with industry professionals for workshops, networking sessions, and company visits. The ISU also organizes cultural events, with the annual Halloween party being a major highlight. This event brings together students from PHBS, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, and Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (Tsinghua SIGS), encouraging cultural exchange and camaraderie. According to Chong, the ISU will soon launch a new initiative called the Buddy Program, which pairs new international students with senior counterparts. This program will provide invaluable guidance on academics, student life, and career prospects, while also expanding personal networks. Chong herself benefited from a similar program when she first arrived, noting how it helped her gain insights and forge lasting friendships. “I really got to know a lot of great friends and have made lifelong friends with some senior students,” she recalled. A foodie Chong identifies herself as a foodie and said she loves Chinese, Japanese, and Korean food, among others. Chong said that when she faces difficulties, she misses home, her family, and the food from her hometown of Penang. To relieve homesickness, she copes by cooking similar dishes. Among Chinese dishes, she particularly enjoys hotpot, opting for the tomato soup base as she can only tolerate a little spice. She mentioned a Malaysian Chinese restaurant in Shenzhen that offers authentic dishes like curry chicken, Bak Kut Teh (herbal soup with meat), and Malaysia’s representative dish Nasi Lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf), which she finds comforting and reminiscent of home. As a foodie, Chong and her friends have a fun daily ritual: rating every dish they try in the canteens in the university town to determine which one is truly the best, and the highest rated is the Tsinghua SIGS canteen. Crazy Gen-Z things Besides cooking, Chong also enjoys outdoor fun with her peers. A true Gen-Z, she embraces spontaneous and adventurous activities. Her recent favorite “crazy Gen-Z thing” is a midnight biking trip with friends. After an exam, they biked 10.4 kilometers on shared bikes from campus along the Dashahe River to Shenzhen Bay Park, starting at midnight and returning around 3 a.m. “It was really really good because we used the natural light of the moon, and no one was there on the lane, so we could bike freely and enjoy the breeze of the night and the beautiful Shenzhen Bay view,” Chong said. Another notable “crazy” experience was a day trip to Shanwei, where she and a friend rented a car using temporary licenses and drove themselves. Future career goals Starting from May, Chong and some of her schoolmates have internships at the Shenzhen Office of WIK Group (WIK Shenzhen) in Bao’an District. There, she works in the Global Project Management Department, supporting her project manager by coordinating with cross-functional teams on different stages of project development. Founded in Germany in the early 1950s and now headquartered in Hong Kong, WIK designs and produces electronic products and components for leading global brands. Chong’s immediate career goal is to work in cross-border businesses within a multinational company. She aims to leverage her multicultural understandings and language skills to develop strategies that bridge cultural gaps and foster effective collaboration. She is open to opportunities in Shenzhen, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, or even Singapore and other countries, as long as the position allows her to apply and develop her skills. However, for her 40s, she envisions starting her own small business, potentially a healthy food cafe inspired by her mother’s organic shop. She believes that food, much like music, has the power to bring people together and facilitate cultural exchange. | 