Ishfaq Ahmed, an assistant professor at Haide College, Ocean University of China, has developed a special connection with Qingdao after spending nearly eight years in the city. He has been living in China for almost a decade.

Convenient transportation, beautiful coastal scenery, a safe living environment, and well-developed infrastructure are among the reasons he considers Qingdao his "second home".

Ahmed's story was one of the personal stories shared by foreign experts during the 2026 "Discover Charming Qingdao" media tour.

Other foreign experts working and living in Qingdao also spoke highly of the city's beautiful scenery, pleasant climate, safety and convenience, describing it as a desirable place to live and work.

They also noted that Qingdao's openness and policies for attracting and supporting foreign experts have created a favorable environment for them to work, innovate and pursue their careers.

Looking ahead, they hope to contribute their expertise to sci-tech innovation and industrial development while sharing their experiences in Qingdao with family and friends.