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Following in the Footsteps of Marco Polo

Jan 25-2024   



Despite having grown up in the myth of legendary Italian travelers who made a name for themselves in the Far East, I would have never expected that a series of decisions would have had such a powerful impact on my life.

 

Get direct exposure to the Chinese Language

My interest in China can be traced back to my working career in Milan. At that time, one of  the  Italian national TV channels broadcast weekly the movie production from China and the rest of East Asia. By watching those movies, characterized by images of rare beauty and supreme cinematography, I grew increasingly interested in getting a deeper understanding of the world’s second-largest economy.

From that moment, I started to take a step-by-step approach to discovering China, whether taking a stroll in Milan’s Chinatown, trying delicious food at a restaurant, or attending Tai Chi classes.

The next natural move was to get direct exposure to the Chinese language since I was captivated by the hidden significance of its characters and wanted to understand the country through interaction with its people. So, I signed up for a twice-a-week evening language class organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Milan.

My Chinese teacher, Professor Zhao, supported my efforts as I actively participated in language classes and additional seminars on calligraphy, painting, and paper cutting. Later, the desire to put into practice the Chinese knowledge acquired pushed me to participate in the official HSK exam, where I was able to obtain high scores in each level attempted.

At that point, Professor Zhao introduced me to the opportunity of applying for a Confucius Institute Scholarship and offered his advice for the preparation of the application material in order to increase my chances of success.

The day I received the notification that I got assigned the scholarship, I had a mix of excitement for the incredible opportunity but also a feeling of discomfort for the fact that I had to tell my employer my departure from Italy on such short notice. In addition, I was a bit worried since I was not ready enough from a language and cultural perspective to make such a considerable jump towards the unknown.

 

Pursue career dream from Dalian to Beijing

To my great surprise, I must admit that the time spent at the Liaoning Normal University in Dalian was one of the most eye-opening moments of my life since I got exposed to a fast- paced, rising Chinese metropolis and a very different teaching method compared to the West.

One of the most important takeaways from that experience was that compared to the Western education system, which focuses on pure individualism and opportunism, the Chinese education system primarily encourages collectivism and inclusiveness, stressing the importance of self-discipline to maintain a harmonious society. The opportunity to live in campus and to have direct interaction with Chinese students also helped me to bridge the gap I still had towards a different system of cultural values and offered me the opportunity to understand better and appreciate the peculiarities of my host country.

Undoubtedly, the experience in Dalian served me well in preparation for my next move to Beijing, a larger and more cosmopolitan city, to attend an MBA program. The decision to select China’s capital as my next destination was made considering the possibility of improving my language skills, being exposed to the best academic and cultural environments in the whole country, and gaining access to professional opportunities aligned to the career path of my choice.

The idea to participate in the MBA, a high-level management program, didn’t come overnight but was one of my career dreams since I was living in Italy. Most of my friends who made the same educational decision had generally opted for the classic MBA program route in a US or UK university due to the perceived prestige shown on Western magazine rankings. On the contrary, I considered the decision to go East as a long-term investment in my future based on the growing influence that China would have in the following decades and on the important position of the Asian continent as a GDP contributor for the entire world.

The decision process I followed to identify the ideal business school consisted of considerations ranging from the hosting city’s economic and social relevance to the academic institution’s prestige and post-graduation prospects. Considering all these variables, the resolution became a no-brainer.

I was fascinated by Peking University not only because it is one of the most important academic institutions in the whole country but also because it is the place that originated the May 4th Movement, making the educational institution’s history so closely tied to that of modern China. Furthermore, I was attracted by the reputation of the National School of Development at Peking University, one of the most influential think tanks in China, where most of its professors are economic advisors to the Chinese government and international institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank.

I vividly remember when I realized that finance was the field of interest for a post-MBA career. It happened during a field trip that the school organized at Pingyao ancient town, Shanxi Province. Apart from the beautifully preserved Ming and Qing urban planning and architecture, I learned that the city served as the region’s financial center from the 16th century and the entire Qing Dynasty during the late 19th century. Here, Rishengchang was the first and largest financial institution in China that, at its peak, controlled almost half of the Chinese economy with branches throughout significant cities in the whole country and Russia, and Japan.

 

The only non-Chinese staff member of the ICBC

When the opportunity showed up at the end of the MBA experience, it came as a natural decision to accept the offer to join the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. Today, I have the privilege to call Beijing’s Financial Street my workplace, being daily exposed to a vibrant business ecosystem and surrounded by crucial government authorities whose decisions direct the country’s financial sector.

I was unbelievably happy to have the chance, as a foreign citizen, to step inside a Chinese Big 4 state-owned bank and gain a deep understanding of how the financial institution works. Furthermore, I was excited by the idea of being the only non- Chinese staff member at the company since I could have the chance to raise the bar of my Chinese language skills, becoming better connected to my colleagues.

During the last eight years of work experience at the bank, I have gained a deep understanding and expertise in the Chinese financial sector, directly involved in cross-border transactions to finance projects along the Belt and Road Initiative. My professional activity has also been conducive to building an extensive network of contacts ranging from bankers to government officials, from international clients to institutional investors.

One of the most fulfilling moments of my professional activity in China came in 2020 when I received a 5 years Loyal Employee Award celebrating five years of service at the bank. The fact that I was granted such an important recognition for the work done meant a lot to me, especially regarding acceptance and consideration from leaders and colleagues. To this day, I am very proud of it.

Reaching a comfortable level of intercultural competence is one of the most essential skills for young talents. Still, overcoming the initial challenges requires patience, flexibility, and time. In this regard, I feel fortunate that I have been given the chance to join a state-owned enterprise, considering the central role that the government has in the life and economic dynamics of China.

It would be an understatement to say that China has been important to me only in terms of educational and professional advancement. The truth is that my hosting country’s role has been far more relevant to the development of my life.

Being married to a local Beijinger has enabled me to be more embedded into China’s society to better understand and appreciate those peculiar cultural aspects within families that are usually not known to familiar expats visiting the country. I consider being accepted into a Chinese family one of the most critical moments in my life and something I cherish.

The younger version of me was a person full of dreams but mostly unaware of what the future held. A Confucius Institute Scholarship opened me to a new country where my compatriot Marco Polo traveled long before making history through his achievements, breaking down cultural barriers, and promoting a higher level of exchange and cooperation.

Having spent a decade in China following the footsteps of my illustrious predecessor, I realize that my learning experience of the country is far from being accomplished.

Following in the Footsteps of Marco Polo

Jan 25-2024   



Despite having grown up in the myth of legendary Italian travelers who made a name for themselves in the Far East, I would have never expected that a series of decisions would have had such a powerful impact on my life.

 

Get direct exposure to the Chinese Language

My interest in China can be traced back to my working career in Milan. At that time, one of  the  Italian national TV channels broadcast weekly the movie production from China and the rest of East Asia. By watching those movies, characterized by images of rare beauty and supreme cinematography, I grew increasingly interested in getting a deeper understanding of the world’s second-largest economy.

From that moment, I started to take a step-by-step approach to discovering China, whether taking a stroll in Milan’s Chinatown, trying delicious food at a restaurant, or attending Tai Chi classes.

The next natural move was to get direct exposure to the Chinese language since I was captivated by the hidden significance of its characters and wanted to understand the country through interaction with its people. So, I signed up for a twice-a-week evening language class organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Milan.

My Chinese teacher, Professor Zhao, supported my efforts as I actively participated in language classes and additional seminars on calligraphy, painting, and paper cutting. Later, the desire to put into practice the Chinese knowledge acquired pushed me to participate in the official HSK exam, where I was able to obtain high scores in each level attempted.

At that point, Professor Zhao introduced me to the opportunity of applying for a Confucius Institute Scholarship and offered his advice for the preparation of the application material in order to increase my chances of success.

The day I received the notification that I got assigned the scholarship, I had a mix of excitement for the incredible opportunity but also a feeling of discomfort for the fact that I had to tell my employer my departure from Italy on such short notice. In addition, I was a bit worried since I was not ready enough from a language and cultural perspective to make such a considerable jump towards the unknown.

 

Pursue career dream from Dalian to Beijing

To my great surprise, I must admit that the time spent at the Liaoning Normal University in Dalian was one of the most eye-opening moments of my life since I got exposed to a fast- paced, rising Chinese metropolis and a very different teaching method compared to the West.

One of the most important takeaways from that experience was that compared to the Western education system, which focuses on pure individualism and opportunism, the Chinese education system primarily encourages collectivism and inclusiveness, stressing the importance of self-discipline to maintain a harmonious society. The opportunity to live in campus and to have direct interaction with Chinese students also helped me to bridge the gap I still had towards a different system of cultural values and offered me the opportunity to understand better and appreciate the peculiarities of my host country.

Undoubtedly, the experience in Dalian served me well in preparation for my next move to Beijing, a larger and more cosmopolitan city, to attend an MBA program. The decision to select China’s capital as my next destination was made considering the possibility of improving my language skills, being exposed to the best academic and cultural environments in the whole country, and gaining access to professional opportunities aligned to the career path of my choice.

The idea to participate in the MBA, a high-level management program, didn’t come overnight but was one of my career dreams since I was living in Italy. Most of my friends who made the same educational decision had generally opted for the classic MBA program route in a US or UK university due to the perceived prestige shown on Western magazine rankings. On the contrary, I considered the decision to go East as a long-term investment in my future based on the growing influence that China would have in the following decades and on the important position of the Asian continent as a GDP contributor for the entire world.

The decision process I followed to identify the ideal business school consisted of considerations ranging from the hosting city’s economic and social relevance to the academic institution’s prestige and post-graduation prospects. Considering all these variables, the resolution became a no-brainer.

I was fascinated by Peking University not only because it is one of the most important academic institutions in the whole country but also because it is the place that originated the May 4th Movement, making the educational institution’s history so closely tied to that of modern China. Furthermore, I was attracted by the reputation of the National School of Development at Peking University, one of the most influential think tanks in China, where most of its professors are economic advisors to the Chinese government and international institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank.

I vividly remember when I realized that finance was the field of interest for a post-MBA career. It happened during a field trip that the school organized at Pingyao ancient town, Shanxi Province. Apart from the beautifully preserved Ming and Qing urban planning and architecture, I learned that the city served as the region’s financial center from the 16th century and the entire Qing Dynasty during the late 19th century. Here, Rishengchang was the first and largest financial institution in China that, at its peak, controlled almost half of the Chinese economy with branches throughout significant cities in the whole country and Russia, and Japan.

 

The only non-Chinese staff member of the ICBC

When the opportunity showed up at the end of the MBA experience, it came as a natural decision to accept the offer to join the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. Today, I have the privilege to call Beijing’s Financial Street my workplace, being daily exposed to a vibrant business ecosystem and surrounded by crucial government authorities whose decisions direct the country’s financial sector.

I was unbelievably happy to have the chance, as a foreign citizen, to step inside a Chinese Big 4 state-owned bank and gain a deep understanding of how the financial institution works. Furthermore, I was excited by the idea of being the only non- Chinese staff member at the company since I could have the chance to raise the bar of my Chinese language skills, becoming better connected to my colleagues.

During the last eight years of work experience at the bank, I have gained a deep understanding and expertise in the Chinese financial sector, directly involved in cross-border transactions to finance projects along the Belt and Road Initiative. My professional activity has also been conducive to building an extensive network of contacts ranging from bankers to government officials, from international clients to institutional investors.

One of the most fulfilling moments of my professional activity in China came in 2020 when I received a 5 years Loyal Employee Award celebrating five years of service at the bank. The fact that I was granted such an important recognition for the work done meant a lot to me, especially regarding acceptance and consideration from leaders and colleagues. To this day, I am very proud of it.

Reaching a comfortable level of intercultural competence is one of the most essential skills for young talents. Still, overcoming the initial challenges requires patience, flexibility, and time. In this regard, I feel fortunate that I have been given the chance to join a state-owned enterprise, considering the central role that the government has in the life and economic dynamics of China.

It would be an understatement to say that China has been important to me only in terms of educational and professional advancement. The truth is that my hosting country’s role has been far more relevant to the development of my life.

Being married to a local Beijinger has enabled me to be more embedded into China’s society to better understand and appreciate those peculiar cultural aspects within families that are usually not known to familiar expats visiting the country. I consider being accepted into a Chinese family one of the most critical moments in my life and something I cherish.

The younger version of me was a person full of dreams but mostly unaware of what the future held. A Confucius Institute Scholarship opened me to a new country where my compatriot Marco Polo traveled long before making history through his achievements, breaking down cultural barriers, and promoting a higher level of exchange and cooperation.

Having spent a decade in China following the footsteps of my illustrious predecessor, I realize that my learning experience of the country is far from being accomplished.