Firsthand learning about the dynamic Chinese market: My summer well spent

• By: Irené Thu Nguyen, marketing professional in Asia
• Summer Experience: Doing Business in Changing China – 2024 Summer School, organised by Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) and School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Nationality: Vietnamese

I came to know about the 2024 Summer School at XJTLU from a friend who also joined the programme. As a marketing professional in Asia, I consider China one of the most dynamic markets in the field. Thus, I signed up for the course, trusting that actually living and studying in China would bring me more insights than travelling.

Irené Thu Nguyen in Shanghai

Irené Thu Nguyen in Hangzhou

During two weeks at XJTLU, I had the chance to experience living in Suzhou, thereby gaining an intimate understanding of its lifestyle through both small details, such as the dominant use of cashless payments, and more macro angles like the house registration system (hukou). The comprehensively designed curriculum helped me pick up two valuable insights: the influence of Confucianism on the Chinese mindset and the local definition of trust in doing business.

First, Chinese culture was heavily influenced by Confucius’ philosophy. Thus, in order to understand local insights, Confucianism is a great way to start. When living here, you can easily see how the philosphy weaves into the local lifestyle, from the belief that diligence shall yield rewards to the deep respect for older people.

Second, in this collectivist society, the concept of trust encompasses both the heart and the mind. To do business with local people, building strong relationships (heart) is often as important as demonstrating your skills and reliability (mind). It is a fine blend of professional competency and emotional connection.

From left: Dr Ewout van der Schaft, IBSS Associate Dean for Internationalisation; Irené Thu Nguyen; Yidan Liu, Transferrable Skills Training Specialist at IBSS; and Dr Huaiyuan Zhang, Teaching Lecturer at IBSS

As someone who has worked for a couple of years, the experience at XJTLU was nothing short of amazement. Apart from the aforementioned insights, I also had the chance to visit two Chinese companies and observed the way they operated, as well as nearby cities like Hangzhou and Shanghai. The combination of lectures and visits was eye-opening.

Overall, my time at XJTLU provided me with a richer and more nuanced understanding of Chinese culture and business practices. The immersive experience in Suzhou, combined with the programme’s in-depth lessons, allowed me to appreciate the subtleties of living and working in one of the world’s most influential markets. These insights will undoubtedly enhance my ability to navigate and engage with the Chinese market effectively, blending cultural awareness with strategic acumen.

Summer school team in a candid moment on the day of an awards ceremony