Luhaiyan, a Foreign Student from Albania
“What do you know about traditional Chinese weddings? This palanquin in front of you is what brides used to ride in, similar to modern extravagant wedding cars…” At the Shanghai History Museum, Luhaiyan, an Albanian student studying at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, stands in front of the exquisite “Wuhuahao Baizi Wedding Palanquin,” delivering an engaging presentation to a curious audience in fluent Chinese. She recounts the rich history of this cultural artifact as part of her volunteer tour guide duties.
Luhaiyan’s unique perspective as one of the few international tour guides in Shanghai’s museums captures the attention of her audience. Each time she concludes her explanations, she is met with enthusiastic applause. By sharing her insights, she offers a fresh viewpoint on China’s history and culture, which, in turn, deepens her own appreciation for Shanghai: “Becoming a guide has helped me gain a sufficient understanding of history, and it adds to my fondness for this city.”
Bringing Shanghai Stories to Life
Having moved to China with her parents at the age of nine, Luhaiyan has spent over a decade in Shanghai and is currently a student in the Chinese Language program (with a focus on Business Chinese) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. She still feels a surge of excitement when recalling how she became a guide at the Shanghai History Museum. Her university’s collaboration with the museum led to a bilingual video project where international students narrated stories of archaeological artifacts from Shanghai. Through this project, she found herself captivated by the deep cultural narratives behind ancient items like the Zhou civilization artifacts, the Yan Dynasty water gate, and one of China’s “four ancient ships,” the Shanghai sand boat. When she learned about the new “CityGuide” project designed for foreign students to narrate Shanghai’s tales, she was quick to sign up.
After successfully passing the selection process, she underwent training that provided her with a structured understanding of traditional Chinese culture and detailed knowledge of the artifacts she presents. Luhaiyan guides guests through exhibits on the first floor of the museum. Memorizing her script was a critical step in her preparation: “The toughest part is remembering the statistics. I need to mention the basic details, like the dimensions of the Wuhuahao Baizi Wedding Palanquin.” To aid her memory, she created study cards, emphasizing key information in bold red ink.
Gradually, she discovered an effective approach: “If you remember stories, it becomes enjoyable and much easier.” She seamlessly integrates intriguing questions into her storytelling, such as the origin of the name “Wuhuahao” and the intricate craftsmanship involved. “Ten artisans took ten years to create it, intricately carved with auspicious symbols and folklore.”
Additionally, her advisors encouraged her to draw cultural comparisons. With their guidance, Luhaiyan researched traditional wedding customs from various regions in China and discussed Albanian wedding traditions with her mother. “In the past, our wedding carriages were horse-drawn, unlike the wedding palanquin used in China,” she chuckled. “I’ve celebrated Chinese weddings but have yet to attend an Albanian one.”
Despite her preparedness, Luhaiyan felt nervous during her first presentation, even forgetting a few lines. Nonetheless, she recovered smoothly. “The audience was encouraging, listening intently without interruption,” she reflected, appreciating Shanghai’s inclusive nature. “People were interested in the unique information I presented rather than focusing on our cultural differences.”
Becoming Part of Shanghai
“Where are you from? Your Chinese is so impressive!” Audience members often compliment Luhaiyan on her fluent Mandarin during her tours. It’s hard to believe she initially self-taught herself the language using animated shows at home.
When she first arrived in China over a decade ago, language presented a massive challenge for her. “In China, there’s the story of Yu Gong moving a mountain, and like him, I had to start by tackling each character, slowly chipping away at the language barrier,” she explained. Immersed in her language studies, she celebrated small victories as she mastered new vocabulary while also facing the frustrations of pronunciation. After a year of dedication, she passed the language test for public primary school and enrolled in classes. Reflecting on her journey, she recognized how far she’d come—from starting with zero knowledge to becoming a language major and even understanding the local Shanghai dialect.
“Shanghai is a friendly city with an inclusive culture that allowed me to delve deeper into understanding it,” Luhaiyan shared. Growing up in this welcoming environment, she never felt like an outsider. She actively participated in community service and volunteer work, gradually connecting with the city and its people. During middle school, she learned emergency rescue skills through the Red Cross and frequently took part in charitable activities, even winning first prize in a city-wide youth emergency response competition. Many community members know her by name, and her enthusiasm led her to receive an award for outstanding volunteer service.
Her passion for Chinese culture has enriched her experiences in the country. “Whenever relatives ask, ‘Do all Chinese people know kung fu?’ I enjoy teasing them.” Through activities like the “Tell a Chinese Story in English” event, she impressed judges with her creative answers, and she received the “Most Potential Award” during the Spring Festival celebration at the “Chinese Bridge” global Chinese language competition for her skillful calligraphy.
“Chinese culture is vast, diverse, and multifaceted,” she stated. “Only by understanding its history can we truly comprehend China. In class, when we study poetry, it’s easy to find it challenging. But our teachers remind us that understanding comes from reading and grasping the logic and values hidden in Chinese culture. Once we achieve this understanding, respect follows.”
The more time Luhaiyan spends in Shanghai, the more she feels inspired to become a bridge between China and Albania. Each visit back to her home country sparks curiosity in her grandparents when she speaks of China. “Any cultural exchange is beneficial.” As a guide at the museum, she has taken her first step toward realizing this vision. Just as she shares insights about Albania with her Chinese friends, she hopes to introduce young Albanians to Chinese culture to deepen mutual understanding.
