Stephanie Renzullo, from the U.S., said she can’t wait to explore Shekou and greater Shenzhen after attending a welcome orientation for international newcomers organized by the Shekou Management and Service Center for Expats (Shekou MSCE) on Aug. 30.

Attendees and Shekou MSCE staff gather for a group photo following the welcome orientation for international newcomers in Shenzhen on Saturday. Claudia Wei

Renzullo was among more than 30 new international residents who gathered in Shekou for the session, which focused on the core needs of expats who have recently settled in Shenzhen.

The event featured a brief tour of Shekou’s foreign-related service platforms and a practical information sharing session that covered topics such as temporary accommodation registration, personal banking, and procedures for visiting local hospitals.

Attendees from diverse backgrounds tune into presentations at Shekou’s welcome event for international residents Saturday. Rita Yang

In addition, three long-term expat residents were invited to share firsthand tips on settling in Shenzhen.

Filipe Setlik, a Brazilian who has lived in the city for five years, focused his presentation on the essential mobile apps that help expats navigate life in Shenzhen. “Unlike [in] the West where we usually reply on websites for information, daily life in China depends more on apps,” Setlik said to the group before walking them through apps for shopping, groceries, language translation, and travel, among others.

A Shekou MSCE staff member chats with a participant during the event, offering guidance on settling into life in Shenzhen. Ariel Lee

His presentation was well received. Megan Hall, who just arrived from the U.K. three days prior, said the translation apps Setlik recommended addressed her priority concern, which is how to overcome language barriers in a totally new environment.

Hall said she could use some of the recommended translation apps to help her find her way around Shenzhen. Hall, who lives in Shekou, will teach English at a public school located about 40 minutes from her home by Metro.

Angelina Denisova (L) from Russia and Heidi Whitfield from the U.S. share a lighthearted moment during the orientation in Shekou. Ariel Lee

Italian music teacher Matilde Frangipane, who lived in Shenzhen for several years before the pandemic, said she was happy to return and surprised by how much the city has changed.

Established in 2017, the Shekou MSCE offers a variety of administrative, consultation, and community services and activities designed to meet the needs of expat residents. Its iconic, nonprofit Shekou Night School for Expats is about to begin again.