FRENCHMAN Thomas Yulzari, 25, a quality control manager with a European plastic-making company, is quite happy with his one-year stay in the city.

"It's amazing to stay in Shenzhen, and it is the place to be," said the manager. Although he gets a lower salary here than he would in Paris, and sometimes has to work 35 hours in three days as opposed to 35 hours a week in France, he still enjoys the work here.

"I get more chances to improve as every day is challenging to me. I design plastic models, update plastic-making system, and learn how to deal with Chinese workers in a multinational environment. I have been more open-minded in Shenzhen," said Yulzari.

Yulzari prefers Shenzhen to his hometown Paris as the former is not crowded and people are friendly, he said. People in Shenzhen are helpful, whereas Parisians don't have the time.

The food in Shenzhen is also something he loves.

He recently acquired a taste for dog meat in a restaurant in Buji, which he had never tried before.

He finds Shenzhen a culinary paradise as all the different kinds of Chinese food are available here.

"French people love tasty food very much, and I have found the place I dream to go to," Yulzari said.

In his spare time, Yulzari plays rugby with his French friends in Shekou, Nanshan District. He meets a new French friend almost every day and has formed a French network in the city.

"It's like at home, nothing inconvenient," Yulzari concluded.

Editor: Wing