Wang Fangyuan George || BBA (Hons) Global Supply Chain Management
Bank of Communications and Schroders Fund Management Company, Shanghai
 Shanghai, now the financial and trading centre of China, has become one of the most ideal locations for anyone pursuing a career in the finance industry. Wang Fang-yuan George, a Global Supply Chain Management student, was thrilled to complete his five-week internship in Shanghai, enjoying the vibe of the city.
After a tough screening process, George landed an internship at the renowned investment bank, Bank of Communications and Schroders Fund Management Company. The valuable internship has changed George’s perspective on his career and placed him into the business world. “During the internship, I met many fabulous bankers and investors who motivated me to pursue perfection and preciseness,” he says.
One of the most memorable assignments for George was to turn an interview with the Chief Director of the Shanghai Stock Exchange Market into a report on corporate governance, a topic which he knew nothing about.
To get the job done, he read articles and conducted research to equip himself with related knowledge. “It was hard at the beginning. Gradually, I understood you have to comprehend the notion of an assignment to complete your work,” says George, who was inspired by the brilliant marketing ideas and financial concepts raised in the brainstorming meeting.
He was also glad to earn the trust and respect from the professional economists. “It was happy to be a participant, and not just a listener. I had the opportunity to give a 10-minute presentation about a brochure of a new fund product of a competitor,” he says. “My seniors were open to all opinions and mindsets. My ideas were adopted sometimes. I felt that they treated me not only as an intern, but also as a real staff. I really appreciated that.”
A test for endurance 
Working overtime is a normal phenomenon in Schroders. George was also influenced by the culture and worked late to complete his tasks even on his birthday.
“I had to rush a speech draft out for my supervisor that night. Although my senior asked me to leave and celebrate with my friends, I insisted on finishing the task myself,” says George. “It was the strong company culture and the business ethics PolyU instilled in me that motivated me to keep working. I never imagined myself being so committed to a job. When I was in school, I always finished my assignment on the due day for submission.”
George is now more clear about his future career and study plan. “On the last day of the internship, I was really sad. I looked through the windows to see the high-rises all- around and to feel the pulse of the Chinese economy. I know I will work in this city again,” he says with determination.
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 4.7/5 (13 votes cast)
HUNG Wai-ling Adele , CHU Wun-ling Wendy || BBA (Hons) International Shipping and Transport Logistics || Jungseok Research Institute of International Logistics and Trade (JRI), Inha University, South Korea
 “Anyeong hase yo ( 안녕하세요 ) !” This is the Korean greeting Chu Wun-ling Wendy and Hung Wai-ling Adele learnt once they arrived South Korea this summer. The two girls had a valuable chance to catch a direct glimpse into Korean life during their two-month internship at Jungseok Research Institute of International Logistics and Trade (JRI) of Inha University, rather than just from watching a Korean TV drama series.
Before they went to Korea, they were very worried about the communication in this nation where most people only speak Korean. But thanks to the enthusiasm and hospitality of Koreans, the language barrier was not an obstacle at all. “Although they did not know any English, they would try their best to help us,” Wendy says.
The duo also appreciated the hospitality they received in JRI. One of the professors, who they affectionately called the “ Ice-cream Professor” because he always bought them mouth-watering ice-creams in the hot summer days, took them to watch a baseball match one day to experience the thrilling atmosphere of the game. They enjoyed the game so much that they sang and danced along with the local crowd during the match. On their last day, they were taken to the Incheon Global Festival in JRI, which provided them with a channel to learn more about the city and the Korean culture.
During their stint in South Korea, their one-day tour to Sin-do, Si-do and Mo-do, the islands located in the northern part of Incheon, was another unforgettable moment for them. “The island promotes bicycle touring. However, we didn’t know how to cycle and we could only walk. When we felt extremely tired walking, a car with four female Koreans suddenly stopped and offered us a ride,” says Wendy. “The locals drove us around the islands and even paid the entrance fees for us at some tourist spots. We were very touched by their kindness and hospitality.”
Be a lifelong learner
The diligent Koreans are also role models to Wendy and Adele. They joined a language exchange workshop catering to people who were interested to learn Korean or English. In the workshop, they met a middle-aged man who had only learnt English for two years, but already spoke fluently. “He reminded me to treasure every learning chance, especially in university life. He encouraged me to pick up my Korean lessons again when I returned to Hong Kong,” says Adele.
The two months gave Wendy and Adele the opportunity to experience the working environment, lifestyle and culture of Korea through cultural exchange and sightseeing. To them, it was one of the sweetest and most exceptional summers of their life.
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 4.5/5 (13 votes cast)
WONG Hung–san Benny || BBA (Hons) International Shipping & Transportation Logistics || Tsingtao Brewery, Qingdao
 In the real business world, collaborating with people from different backgrounds and with different standpoints is an indispensable technique. Wong Hung-san Benny, an International Shipping and Transportation Logistics student, and six other PolyU undergraduates learnt the skill of reaching a compromise during their internship at the Tsingtao Brewery Group in Qingdao.
Assigned to complete a consulting research project for the brewery company, Benny and his team arranged a brainstorm session before their departure, to come up with a list of possible research topics and get better prepared for the project.
“However, we later found that we would be joined by students from other universities and countries like Russia, Canada and the mainland. We had to include their ideas in the project and discuss the topic all over again,” says Benny.
From discord to accord 
When the students met in Qingdao and began their project, the Hong Kong students’ ideas were challenged. “The overseas students suggested a new perspective. They shared with us what they knew about Tsingtao Beer back in their home countries,” Benny says. “It was the first time we faced two totally different ways of thinking. We argued furiously, hoping they would agree with us. Luckily, in the end, we compromised after many rounds of discussions.”
With the topic of boosting the sales of Tsingtao Brewery products locally and internationally, they aimed to develop strategies and plans to further enhance the business growth and development of Tsingtao Brewery.
The team first started with searching for information from the Internet and gathering the background information about Tsingtao Beer. They also  conducted surveys at Qingdao’s Beer Street, Tsingtao Beer Museum and popular dining spots to learn more about consumer behavior. In two weeks, they successfully completed over 100 questionnaires, with respondents of different nationalities, such as Japanese, British, American, German, Canadian, and African.
“You can’t imagine how much Qingdao people were attached to beer. They start to drink during lunch. And beer is far more affordable than water there! You can even buy freshly brewed beer packaged in plastic bags from small shops on the street,” Benny says.
In the end, they produced a bilingual written report and presented it to the management of Tsingtao Brewery. Benny thinks it was challenging to package the information they had gathered and collated into a professional marketing analysis.
The management from Tsingtao Brewery was satisfied with the high quality of their work. “The students injected some fresh and new ideas to the company. Although there is still room for improvement, we are impressed by their creativity and energetic personalities,” commented Mr Wang Feng, Regional Human Resources Manager.
VN:F [1.7.5_995] Rating: 4.3/5 (8 votes cast)
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