Federica Toscano neolaureata in giurisprudenza dell’università LUISS Guido Carli di Roma è oartita per uno stage a Pechino due mesi, e racconta la sua esperienza in Cina con CRCC Asia.

“Isabel studia Giurisprudenza all’Università degli Studi di Pavia e ha intrapreso il China Internship Program di CRCC Asia. Ha trascorso un mese a Shanghai e il lavoro che ha svolto le ha consentito di mettere in pratica la teoria appresa all’Università. L’esperienza internazionale l’ha quindi arricchita professionalmente. L’azienda per cui ha lavorato si occupa di educazione; più precisamente, organizza servizi di tutorato per studenti cinesi tra i 10 e i 16 anni per poterli mandare a studiare all’estero. Isabel si è occupata di revisionare contratti e di informarsi sulle nuove leggi per costituire società a Hong Kong, Singapore e UK; si è inoltre occupata di marchi e brevetti. Quanto all’ambiente lavorativo, si è trovata in sintonia sia con i colleghi che con la supervisor. In generale ha apprezzato molto il sostegno di CRCC Asia e gli eventi organizzati.”

Feeling a little nervous and apprehensive as I approached Peking International Airport, I was met by a representative from CRCC who then took me to where I was staying for the next 2 months. The apartments were located centrally which I loved because I got to experience living amongst other Chinese citizens as well as being a 10 minute walk from the nearest subway station Beijing perfect!

Before starting work on the Monday, me and the other interns had our first Chinese banquet, whilst not expecting the signature fish dish to arrive with its head, the food was delicious… after I struggled for the first five minutes with the chopsticks. In the morning I would start my first day being an intern at a Chinese Law Firm.

I found the networking events really random but fun at the same time, can’t say I have witnessed anything like it before. They are held in swanky hotels and offer free drinks and canapés, whilst you go around and try to find a potential employer or even just a new friend, lots of Chinese students attend as well as expats who are working in Beijing. Here’s where my business cards came into use, only to find out my boss had given me a unisex Chinese name which seemed to be amusing among the Chinese people I met there, now I know why Mr Chen was laughing and assuring me ‘panda fi’ was a good name…

For the last two weeks of my internship in Beijing I was moved to the Finance department where I was working on a contract dealing with management funds between two banks, this area of law is new to me so took some time to research around the topic just so I didn’t make any crucial mistakes! It wasn’t all work in Beijing, the nightlife is amazing, the clubs are massive and the Chinese treat westerners like royalty by giving out numerous free drinks, you definitely can’t complain, especially when there’s an elevating and rotating dance floor.

I am definitely considering coming back to Beijing, maybe next time to study the language but it has been an awesome experience, so much different to any other city that I have been to and the people here are so friendly and quite shy Beijing it can be quite surreal in the beginning. I would certainly recommend Beijing as a great place to do work experience or an international internship as it looks great on your CV as well as it being something you will never forget.

Describing the experience of working and living in China is the equivalent of explaining to someone the taste of a delicious meal. The ingredients can be listed, textures can be described and flavors can be expounded upon; but it’s still inadequate. Nothing can replace the actual dining experience!

As one who has always dreamed of working in China, CRCC has provided me a place at the table. During August of 2009, I worked at a Chinese Law Firm and, through the assistance of my fellow CRCC intern and roommate Akram Shalabi, afterwards I was able to secure additional work opportunities with a different Law Firm and a Consulting company in Beijing.

I have worked as an attorney in the United States for over three years and was routinely amazed at the legal process in China. In the all too short month I was in China I witnessed arbitration hearings, contract negotiations and I even spent a significant amount of time researching American law. The experience has opened several doors for me and has further strengthened my desire to work in China. If you have any interest in working in China, I highly recommend CRCC Asia.

It’s difficult to put into words exactly what made my experience in Beijing so fantastic. It was a mixture of the culture, the work and the people. I worked for a major Chinese law firm and my colleagues really went out of their way to welcome me. The work I was given exposed me to some really high profile deals, which I really didn’t expect, and they were a great way for me to learn.

The internship in Beijing more than lived up to my expectations. I half expected I would want to get on the first flight home when I landed, but I instantly felt at ease after meeting Li Jing and David from CRCC Asia. They were always at hand to deal with any problems, however minor! We had some great socials organised and every week we would get emails about the best events on!

I am currently preparing to complete an internship with the New York branch of my Chinese law firm over the summer, which my supervising partner in Beijing helped me to organise. Since I have been back from Beijing I feel that career wise so many doors have been opened. I think that my experience in China and the skills I developed have played a large part in helping to secure a graduate position with Deloitte in September. I am hoping that I will have the opportunity to work in Beijing again at some point in the future.

The experience was more than just beneficial from an employment point of view; I made some lifelong friends and saw some incredible sights. I remember the first time I made my way home from work on the subway I felt such a sense of achievement. It doesn’t sound like much but it really is something I will remember! For anyone thinking of going I would certainly recommend it!