Staff working in the Urban Best Practices Area - the showcase for solving urban problems - shoulder the additional responsibility of explaining advanced technologies and concepts to laymen.

These technologies represent the urban future and the staff first must understand them.

The job challenges staff from around the world, with different educational backgrounds, different working experience and different languages.

Despite the demanding work, and sometimes being on their feet for eight consecutive hours, the UBPA personnel interviewed by Shanghai Daily all said their experience was enjoyable and rewarding.

After seeing exhibits of urban problems and innovative solutions, Chinese staff said they were inspired to think about Shanghai's own urban issues and propose their own ideas for making the city better.

Wang Rui

Wang Rui - 33, from Qinghai Province, China Attendant at the Taipei Case Pavilion [Shanghai Daily]

33, from Qinghai Province, China

Attendant at the Taipei Case Pavilion

Before arriving for Expo work in April, Qinghai native Wang Rui had never spent more than a couple of days in Shanghai. Now she's already missing the city as she will leave in a couple of weeks and wants to postpone her return.

"I'm happy to have the chance to work at the Expo site; I'm happy to work with our whole team; I'm happy to meet new friends; I'm happy to live in the city," she said.

She has enjoyed getting to know Shanghai people and found them different from her expectations - much more hospitable, caring and honest than she had imagined.

"I was touched by visitors - they care about our hard working and understand we are trying our best to serve them," said Wang.

During the past six months, Wang saw the change of visitors. "They behave themselves better."

Public manners at the Expo have improved, she noted. People voluntarily stand in lines, there's less littering and fewer loud arguments over trivial matters.