The Intern Files | Learning about Chinese office culture

• By: Waisaka Puspajayani, BA Business Administration at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University's International Business School Suzhou (IBSS)
• Internship experience: Online internship at Fesco Adecco, Shanghai; and offline internship at Veelang, Hangzhou
• Internship organiser: XJTLU’s International Business School Suzhou – 2024 Summer Online In-Company Consulting Projects; and self-organised

Waisaka Puspajayani at XJTLU

My name is Waisaka Puspajayani, an Indonesian student currently pursuing a degree in business administration. This summer, I took on two exciting internships: an online human resources management internship with Fesco Adecco in Shanghai and an offline business sales internship at Veelang in Hangzhou. Perhaps you’re wondering how I got these chances. Welp, I got the information about the online internship via email from IBSS, while for my offline internship at Veelang, I heard about it through a Chinese platform called Boss Zhipin.

My internship journey began in July and continued until the end of August, lasting for about a month and a half. It was a challenging journey as I strove to manage my time wisely while also taking care of my mental and physical well-being, especially during summertime when temperatures soared to 38-41C. So, staying hydrated, wearing a UV jacket, and applying sunscreen were essential every time I stepped out of my apartment to go to my workplace.

Let me share my internship details with you:

Online internship at Fesco Adecco, Shanghai (15 July – 9 August).

During my online internship, four other XJTLU students and I were required to collaborate with an IBSS supervisor to tackle the challenge of expanding Fesco Adecco’s market. We examined whether the firm should concentrate more on flexible employment or sourcing as an HR management company. Every two weeks, we connected through Tencent apps for a virtual discussion with the company’s human resource manager to share our progress and verify their satisfaction with our results.

During my online internship

Additionally, we held weekly meetings with our supervisor to ensure that everyone was aligned and on the same path. For this job, I was responsible for doing the market research and compiling the findings for a manufacturing company located in the Yangtze Delta region.

Me with my supervisor for the online internship, Dr Bin Ding of IBSS

Since email, WeChat, and virtual meetings are the primary forms of communication in today’s workforce, working as an online intern at Fesco Adecco strengthened my written communication and virtual meeting etiquette skills. Furthermore, I had the chance to put into practice the concepts from two modules I studied at XJTLU, including the theory of the firm (the microconcept of what companies should do and how they should behave to maximise profit) and managing people. Through this experience, I expanded my understanding of the HR management market and gained insights into the Chinese market and its potential in the future.

After work, having a picnic with pals

Offline internship at Veelang, Hangzhou (1-25 August).

Before starting my internship at Veelang, I was busy with the process of obtaining my work visa, as it is essential; otherwise, I risked being expelled from China for working without proper authorisation. In addition, the process of applying for a work visa can be difficult for overseas students, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the required procedures. The XJTLU Global staff made the application process much smoother, and I sincerely appreciate their help, advice, and patience in addressing all of my concerns.

Editing a catalogue about an Inverse Coefficient Measurement for E-Car

As an intern at Veelang, a water waste company, I was in charge of developing marketing materials, translating the product catalogue from Chinese into English, researching the market and competitors and handling administrative tasks like scheduling and reporting file management.

Initially, while working at Veelang, I experienced a cultural shock due to the way my seniors communicated. At first, I was a bit taken aback because they sometimes spoke in a high pitch – a way I might associate with expressing anger. However, after several days of adapting, I discovered that speaking this way is a common practice in China, as evidenced by their smiling or laughing expressions, which do not necessarily indicate anger.

That’s why, from my perspective, understanding and adapting to cultural aspects is so important when working in China. In Chinese work culture, there is a concept known as guanxi (关系) which emphasises the importance of cultivating connections with other employees.

Me having a discussion with a supervisor at Veelang

I strongly encourage all international students to learn more about the Chinese language, as it will be the main mode of communication and writing in the workplace. By immersing yourself in the language and culture, you can cultivate strong connections with your colleagues, which could be crucial for your career growth. I also feel blessed to have my mentor, Ada, who continually supports me and offers some life advice. One piece of her advice that truly sticks with me is: “有志者，事竟成,” which means, “where there is a will, there is a way.”

Additionally, I found that working in China is remarkably easy and efficient; if you want to place an order or get something printed, you can effortlessly manage it through your phone, and the delivery can happen within two or three days or even on the same day. Nonetheless, everything is in Chinese, so it is essential to learn it well.

Veelang's logo

Throughout my internship in Hangzhou, I gained a wealth of knowledge, including communication skills, handling pressure, teamwork dynamics, marketing strategies, operational management, etc. It also provided me with a glimpse into what real-world experience could be like, enabling me to put into practice the academic knowledge I have gained in a professional setting.

This summer turned out to be one of the best I have ever experienced. I learned so much and can confidently say I have grown. This internship has made me become stronger and more persistent. This internship has taught me the importance of taking risks, embracing failure, and pushing beyond my comfort zone. I hope my stories can inspire others to follow their dreams and just try whatever they want. As my mentor said, “Where there is a will, there is a way”.