Marina Dinaeva, from Russia, is a 2025 master's graduate in International Business at Shanghai University. For her, Shanghai is where her dreams took root and flourished.

Marina first visited Shanghai in January 2023 as a tourist. Standing by the Huangpu River, she admired the shimmering lights of the Oriental Pearl Tower and felt a strong desire to study and live in Shanghai. From that moment, she set her sights on Shanghai University, whose outstanding International Business program aligned perfectly with her aspirations.

Three months later, through her own efforts and strong academic performance, Marina was enrolled in the master's program at the School of Economics, Shanghai University. Her two years there became some of the most meaningful experiences of her life, with each corner of the campus holding special memories.

The East Campus Library quickly became one of her favorite places, where she studied, read, and reflected day and night. She enjoyed the sound of turning pages, the breeze outside the window, and the focused tranquility, which reassured her that she was doing what she loved and offered her a sense of belonging. In the evenings, she often played tennis with friends. Their laughter on the courts, the rhythm of the rackets, and the summer night breeze became some of her most significant memories.

Marina participated in several university competitions, which broadened her horizons. She engaged in cross-cultural communication and narrative expression events, such as the "China in My Eyes" Foreigners Telling Chinese Stories Vlog Contest and the "Stories of China Retold in English" national competition, winning multiple awards with her outstanding performance and solid skills. These experiences not only sharpened her comprehensive skills but also offered her a glimpse into China's diverse culture.

During her academic studies, she published a paper titled "Dynamic Analysis of Global Titanium Alloys." In 2024, she won a bronze award with her team at the Shanghai University selection round of the China International College Students' Innovation Competition.

Beyond academics, Marina engaged in various academic lectures, social practices, and corporate visits, such as an international students' innovation and entrepreneurship trip to Taizhou in Zhejiang province, where she experienced China's economic vitality firsthand and gained unique insights into international business.

She also joined Shanghai University's "Haiyi" International Students Choir and took part in a wide range of events and performances, including the 2024 Shanghai Spring Festival gala for foreign professionals, the New Year flash film produced by the local news agencies, the Shanghai Spring International Music Festival, and various activities at Shanghai University.

After graduation, Marina plans to begin her career in Shanghai. She looks forward to working in an internationally oriented company, with aspirations in marketing, brand management, or international business development to enhance her professional skills and creativity. She hopes to leverage her education and artistic talents to launch her own brand or platform in the future.

For her, a career is not simply a job but a path of growth and value creation. She appreciates the wealth of opportunities and inspiration in Shanghai and hopes to keep learning, accumulating experience, and creating new achievements, carrying her own understanding of  the city as she continues her personal development.

Source: Official WeChat account of SHU College of International Education (ID: StudyatSHU)