logo
logo logo
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Topics
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Climate Change
      • Food
      • Quantum
      • Robotics
      • Machine Learning
      • Innovation in Architecture
      • Future of Work
      • Mathematics
      • Smart Cities
      • Sustainable Development Goals
      • Sports
      • Geography
      • Information Technology
      • Engineering
    • Projects
      • [y]our 2040
      • RETHINKING LIVING
      • togETHer
      • ETH Studios
      • ETH4Development
      • Summer School
      • Exchange Programme
      • Events
    • Regions
      • North America
      • Latin America
      • Asia-Pacific
      • South Asia
      • Europe
      • Africa
  • Subscribe!
  • Contact
  • Climate Change Battle Fought in the Fields: Revitalising Soil with Cocoa Farming
    A Unique Internship: Dissolving Disability Barriers at CYBATHLON
    No1s1: An Autonomous Self-Owning House Goes to the World Economic Forum
    Candela Energy: An ETH4D Grant Makes Serving the Underserved a Possibility
    Circular Horizon: Meet the Students Teaming Up to Solve Climate Challenges
logo logo
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Topics
      • Diversity & Inclusion
      • Climate Change
      • Food
      • Quantum
      • Robotics
      • Machine Learning
      • Innovation in Architecture
      • Future of Work
      • Mathematics
      • Smart Cities
      • Sustainable Development Goals
      • Sports
      • Geography
      • Information Technology
      • Engineering
    • Projects
      • [y]our 2040
      • RETHINKING LIVING
      • togETHer
      • ETH Studios
      • ETH4Development
      • Summer School
      • Exchange Programme
      • Events
    • Regions
      • North America
      • Latin America
      • Asia-Pacific
      • South Asia
      • Europe
      • Africa
  • Subscribe!
  • Contact
Asia-Pacific Europe Future of Work UncategorizedAugust 10, 2017

Zurich or Shanghai? Commuting between East and West

Shanghai's skyscrapers across the river.

Every time I come back to Zürich I feel truly happy. I enjoy breathing the fresh air, swimming in the lake, watching trams passing by, or enjoying the sunset on the Polyterrasse… all these are beautiful moments that I can’t get enough of.
Shanghai does not offer the freshest air, but a lot of other things, like roaming the streets in French concession under the platane trees, jogging on the Bund along the impressive historical buildings with a misty view to the skyscrapers across the river, plus real Chinese food…

Fifteen years ago I came to study architecture at the ETH Zurich; five years later I went back to China to start my own business; last year expended back to Switzerland… Now I work and live between Zurich and Shanghai, switching locations every month.

Xi Zhang enjoying the fresh air and the lake in Zurich.
Shanghai's skyscrapers across the river.
“Living in two cities has changed my life pattern tremendously” says Xi Zhang, ETH Zurich Alumnae.

Once a month I get refreshed by a new start and new inputs; each month is a fix deadline to close certain issues, otherwise they will get delayed for another month. This requires a lot of discipline from my team and myself. Both my team, business partners and me have to collect tasks and set goals to be accomplished before my next travel. I used to worry about the productivity with this kind of ‘long distance relationship’ with the team, but the result turned out to be very rewarding. Without me being present, the team members have more space to grow, more chances to make decisions, take responsibility and learn from their own mistakes.

Travel activates all senses, inspirations come automatically. Associations and ideas just gush out of my mind. In the air it’s easier to think out of box and overview the whole chess-plate to reflect on the moves strategically.

We profit a lot in business by diving in different cultures. Being present on both continents allows us to sense new opportunities and link them in a dynamic way. In this way we could alter our own business scope to seize the opportunities by offering a different quality, benefiting from the intercultural exchange. Also the collaboration with companies with completely different background makes me more objective, more open-minded and a better listener than before.

“If you know yourself and your enemy well enough, you will never lose a battle“
As said in the book “Art of War”

The switching happens not only in environment but also in mind, it helps me to become more focused, sympathetic and mindful. I won’t take the fresh air and clean water for granted; I would feel gratitude to have an authentic Cantonese meal; it’s good to observe the sky to remind me when, where and who I am. Because I know soon I won’t be in such a place that offers the same quality, I’m more aware of the moment. At the end it’s a challenge on personality:

“Embrace the change or become stagnant”
Xi Zhang

Stepping out of comfort zone and getting into new surroundings needs a lot of courage, adaptability and endurance on pain. Excitement can easily turn to exhaust, energy exchange could be gain or loss, physical and mental health is more challenged outside than at home. But as soon as we find our own sustainable way to surf and have fun, we look forward to riding on the next wave.

By Xi Zhang


Xi Zhang is Alumnae of ETH Zurich and co-founder of EXH Design Shanghai and EXH Design AG Zurich. 

www.exhdesign.com

Previous Engineering for Development in Cape Town
Next Energy in Singapore

Related Posts

Glacier monitoring in the time of COVID-19

November 12, 2020

Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

September 12, 2019

Happy New Year 2020!

January 1, 2020

こんにちは、dear ETH community!

December 17, 2020
  • Office of the President

    global.ethz.ch

  • Subscribe to our blog!

    Loading
© ETH Zurich Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog do not necessarily reflect those of ETH Zurich. In addition, ETH Zurich is not responsible for the content of external links.