What does it mean to build something massive, precise, and powerful—while rebuilding your own sense of belonging?In this episode of Liminal Space, host Susan Su and co-host Matt Lu talk with Julia Meyn, a naval engineer from Texas now working in Jiangyin, China. Julia shares her journey into the world of shipbuilding, from feeling like an outsider in her engineering program to forging a place for herself in China’s high-speed maritime industry.We explore what it’s like to live and work in a small industrial town as a young foreign woman, the cultural differences that show up on factory floors, and how China's shipyards are quietly leading the global push for cleaner, more efficient vessels. Julia reflects on daily life in Jiangyin, the slow evolution of tech in the maritime world, and the personal growth that comes with stepping far outside your comfort zone. It’s a conversation about metal, memory, and making it work—one conversation, one weld, one word at a time.Takeaways:Julia's journey to shipbuilding began with a passion for languages and cultures.She felt out of place in college due to her lack of a familial connection to shipbuilding.China's shipbuilding industry is massive and global, with a focus on efficiency.Surveying in the maritime industry involves verifying compliance with safety standards.Julia's first impressions of Jiangyin were shaped by her experiences in Shanghai.Finding community in a small town can be challenging, but Julia adapted by expanding her social circles.China's shipyards are capable of building 40 ships a year, showcasing their efficiency.The maritime industry is slow to adapt to new technologies, but there is a push for greener practices.Ship owners play a crucial role in commissioning ships, often opting for foreign classification societies.Innovative designs, like wind sails, are being explored to enhance ship efficiency. Implementing novel technology in shipbuilding is challenging.Daily interactions involve navigating language barriers and cultural differences.Experience in China accelerates learning and skill development.Building relationships with local stakeholders is crucial.The shipbuilding industry offers diverse daily tasks and challenges.Cultural integration involves understanding social dynamics and expectations.Embracing change can lead to personal growth and new opportunities.Learning a new language enhances communication and connection.The importance of patience and observation in a foreign work environment.Future career paths may differ significantly from current experiences.Chapters:02:02 Julia Meyn: A Unique Journey in Shipbuilding02:50 The Intersection of Cultures: Julia's Background and Interests06:00 Navigating the Maritime Industry: Julia's College Experience07:02 Surveying in Shipbuilding: Julia's Current Role09:47 The Decision to Move to China: Opportunities and Challenges14:33 First Impressions of Jiangyin: Adapting to Small Town Life17:26 Building Community: Finding Connections in Jiangyin20:18 Shipbuilding in China: Efficiency and Scale25:33 Comparing American and Chinese Shipbuilding Practices29:03 Environmental Sustainability in Maritime: The Shift to LNG31:15 Global Shipping Dynamics: Ownership and Production32:41 Navigating Classification Societies33:59 The Role of Third-Party Inspectors36:44 Building Relationships in Ship Construction38:07 Innovative Ship Design: Wind Sails42:27 Cultural Attitudes Towards New Technology45:04 Daily Life as a Maritime Engineer in China51:49 Lessons Learned in Two Years of Experience56:15 Navigating New Construction Challenges58:22 Future Aspirations and Career Growth01:02:33 Social Challenges in a Small Town01:11:30 Embracing Change and Overcoming Fear01:15:40 Recommendations and ReflectionsJulia's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-meyn-480326185/Julia's Email: [email protected] podcast is brought to you by C^2 Collective, a multicultural nonprofit community empowering young people across China and beyond to think curiously, connect across cultures, and create positive change. We host events, run a social innovation network, and publish the Curation^2 newsletter @ https://csquared-collective.com/Video Format on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NftknUfexXY&t=329s&ab_channel=LiminalSpacePodcastMusic by Megan TanArt by Cindy Zhang播客简介（中文） 《从德州到江阴：一位造船工程师的中国故事》 在建造一艘庞大、精密、强大的船只的同时，如何重新构建自己的归属感？在本期《Liminal Space》中，主持人 Susan Su 与联合主持人 Matthew Lu 对话Julia Meyn——一位来自美国德克萨斯州、现居中国江阴的海事工程师。Julia 分享了她进入船舶制造行业的独特旅程，从大学期间在工程专业感到格格不入，到如今在中国这个高速发展的造船强国中找到自己的定位。本期节目聚焦于：作为一名年轻的外国女性，在中国小城市生活与工作的真实体验；在船厂的日常中，如何面对文化差异与语言障碍；以及中国造船业如何在全球范围内引领高效、绿色转型。Julia 也反思了江阴的生活节奏、海事行业的技术变革，以及身处陌生环境中所带来的个人成长。这是一次关于钢铁、记忆与适应力的对话——每一次交谈、每一道焊缝、每一个词语，都是她造船也造人生的旅程。重点摘录Julia 进入船舶行业的初心来自于对语言与文化的热爱大学期间，她因缺乏家族背景而在工程专业感到孤独中国造船业规模庞大、全球领先，效率极高海事“检验”工作涉及对安全规范的全面审核Julia 对江阴的第一印象深受在上海生活经历的影响在小城市建立社交网络虽然困难，但她逐步拓展了自己的朋友圈一家中国船厂一年可建造多达 40 艘船，效率惊人船舶行业技术更新缓慢，但正逐步向环保能源（如 LNG）靠拢许多船东仍倾向选择国外船级社进行认证像“风帆”这样的创新设计正被探索以提高船舶能效新技术在船舶制造领域的落地难度很大日常工作中要不断跨越语言与文化的鸿沟在中国工作极大加快了学习曲线与专业成长与本地相关方的关系建立至关重要造船行业每天面对的任务丰富且挑战多变融入当地文化需要理解复杂的社会互动规则接纳变化是走向成长与机会的关键一步学习语言能有效提升沟通效率与人际连结在异国职场中，耐心与观察是非常重要的能力未来的职业路径或将与当前截然不同节目章节02:02 Julia Meyn：造船之路的特别启程
02:50 跨文化成长背景与兴趣
06:00 初入海事行业：大学阶段的探索与挑战
07:02 当前岗位：船舶检验工作日常
09:47 来中国的决定：机遇与未知
14:33 初见江阴：从大城市到小镇的适应
17:26 社交网络建设：如何在新环境中建立联系
20:18 中国造船业的规模与效率
25:33 中美造船实践的对比
29:03 绿色航运趋势：LNG 与环保探索
31:15 全球造船格局：船东与生产之间的博弈
32:41 船级社的角色与影响
33:59 第三方检验员的职责
36:44 船厂中的关系建立与协作
38:07 船舶创新设计：风帆的可能性
42:27 对新技术的文化接受度
45:04 海事工程师在中国的日常节奏
51:49 工作两年的核心收获
56:15 面对新船建造挑战的经验
58:22 对未来职业发展的思考
01:02:33 小城市生活的社交挑战
01:11:30 拥抱变化，面对不确定性
01:15:40 给年轻人的建议与反思
来宾资料 & 出品机构Julia 的 LinkedIn 简历: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-meyn-480326185/Julia电子邮件: [email protected]本播客由 C² Collective 出品 我们是一个多元文化非营利社群，致力于赋能中国及全球的年轻人——鼓励他们以好奇心思考、以真实连接、以创造力推动积极改变。我们组织线下活动，推动社会创新项目，并每周发布中英双语的灵感通讯《Curation²》官网可以获得更多信息。官网：www.csquared-collective.com封面设计：Cindy Zhang音乐制作：Megan Tan

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