Gaining Experience

So first of all, I would like to apologize to all of my readers for posting last week's blog almost a week late! Don't worry, like most people, I have an excuse. I prefer to see it more as a reason than an excuse, but here goes it : last week, I was quite busy touring around Shanghai! I won't report too much on Shanghai, but I will tell you that it is an amazing city and I absolutely love it there. As you could expect it is a really unique place, that is home to a really cool mix of Chinese and foreign culture. And much to my pleasant surprise, there is a lot more Mandarin speaking than I expected. I know that the presence of Mandarin speakers shouldn't seem like a shock to me since Shanghai, after all, is in China but I had always heard that English and Shanghainese was widely spoken throughout the area. It's true that you can get around Shanghai without any knowledge of Mandarin, but I think it certainly makes life a lot more difficult.

One of the most rewarding parts of my trip to Shanghai was my ability to get around and converse with local people relatively easy. I can't explain what a cool and empowering feeling that is. Much to the dismay of my middle school teachers, I found out at a young age that I had a passion for talking. With so many thoughts whizzing in and out of my brain, I can't always fight the urge to express them. Scary I know, but don't worry, I like to think that I have learned the proper place and time for me to verbalize these thoughts. So keeping this in mind, you can only imagine the joy I feel when I can successfully talk not only with other English speakers, but Mandarin speakers as well. I have always been an inquisitive girl, just curious about others and how they live their lives. Living here in Beijing has given me VIP access into so many Chinese people's lives. Maybe this is odd to say, but it almost feels like living here is a little bit like a supplemental culture class (taken in addition to the multiple Chinese culture classes I took at UCI). Except, here I get to live the culture for myself and learn through my various daily interactions. I think that is why I can't think of a better feeling than understanding Chinese speakers and having them understand me in return.

A cool restaurant menu in Shanghai.

I think it is through these day to day interactions, that I have really learned the most. Probably one of the most influential people here in Beijing for me is my boss, Chaobo. I feel like I have really lucked out as far as bosses go. She is very kind and patient and even though we don't always know how to say our ideas to one another (language barrier), we are always able to reach a mutual understanding. Being able collaborate ideas and come to common understanding is an essential skill needed in order to be successful in the working world. This applies to people everywhere, regardless of if they speak the same language or not. Miscommunication is an easy mistake to make, so I feel really excited to have been given the chance to work on my communication skills. Working at Beijing Twinflag Century has also taught me how to work with others. My boss and I make a great team. We feed off each others energy and ideas. I also think, that when you learn how to maintain good relationships with the people that you work with, you enjoy working a lot more. I also really enjoy accompanying my boss to various meetings with current and potential customers. Even though I am mostly a silent observer, I find it really exciting and informative. I get to see first hand how Chinese companies interact. Like a porous sea sponge, I willingly absorb as much knowledge and information as I can. Admittedly I do not always understand what they are saying but in a way this gives me an advantage because I am able to tap into my other senses and keenly observe things such as body language and tone of voice. One simple thing that I have already learned is to never refuse any kind of drink or food you are presented with at a meeting. Politely take it even if you do not really want it. Chinese companies are very attentive to maintaining "guanxi," good relationships. They want to treat whomever they are meeting with with the utmost respect and hospitality.

Anyway, I have really enjoyed my time so far here in Beijing and am more than pleased with my work experience. Every day I can't help but smile because I know I am learning something knew. And yes I am going to end on a cliche: knowledge is power! So watch out world because I am doing all that I can to soak up some worldly knowledge and climb my way to the top.

USA Pavallion in Shanghai at the World Fair

Turkey's Pavallion was really cool so I had to take a picture

Temple in Shanghai

Temple close to where my friend lives