Shanghai, once a small coastal fishing village, has become China's first-tier modern city and economic center through historical changes and development. Due to its geographical location, Shanghai had the presence of western countries at a very early stage, which accepted a large number of western cultures and produced a lot of collision and fusion with Chinese traditional culture, forming the unique Shanghai culture and special customs of Shanghai.
And the headquarter of EF in China is also located in such acity, thriving, and growing.
EF HQ is in the heart of urban area, such like Chicago's Fifth Avenue area in USA. It’s located on Tongren Road, a road first named after Hardoon, a British-Jewish property tycoon in the late 19th century. Healso built The Hardoon Garden, founded the schools, and helped many Jewish refugees in Shanghai during World War II.
The building used to be an open-plan rented office building. With the growth of EF, there are now four floors full of EF employees from different departments working here.
EF provides employees with a spacious, comfortable and creative working environment. We can fully social communication, discuss work, enjoy sports, and hold various activities. That's what makes the EF community.
As we walked out of the office, the road would show another fusion of Chinese and Western styles. It retains many of the buildings where Chinese and Western designers collaborated in the early 20th century. Through these buildings, you seem to be able to imagine what it was like and touch the stories at that time.
This is Green House, built in 1938, which is the last workof famous Hungarian architectural master Laszlo Hudec in Shanghai. It was the first private residence with an elevator in Shanghai. It'son the right side of EF HQ office.
The former residence of Shi Liangcai, a famous patriotic newspaper writer. Which was designed with Chinese style hall and western style rooms and now just next to EF office.
The former garden residence but Water authority now, designed by western architect. It is right across the street from EF's office.
Old house and apartment next to EF office. This type of old house used to belong to only one family, but now many families live in it as the neighbors.
Many foreigners like to live in Shanghai, not only becauseit is more modern and advanced with more job opportunities, but also because Shanghai is a city with strong diversity and inclusiveness.
Shanghai is full ofthe beauty of the past and the present, full of openness based on historical background.
If you like the modern living environment, you can achieve it here.
If you like to experience the history and culture, you can also do it here.
We're looking for writers for a passion for sharing information and stories with others (both new and current teachers). Topics range from blogging about your city or school, to a day-in-a-life article or travel in general….and everything in-between.
If you enjoyed reading this article and would like to contribute to the EF Blog too, please click here to learn about how to apply.