Caroline Rowe is a 22-year-old English woman who graduated from Oxford University in the summer of 2003. In July, she relocated to China to work for E. J. McKay & Co., Inc., an investment bank engaged in multi-national merger and purchase, in Shanghai. One of an increasing number of foreigners who come to China to work and build careers, Rowe reflects on some of her first impressions of Shanghai and why she chose to work in a city so far from home.
Why Shanghai?
Question: How long have you been in China? How do you like Shanghai?
Answer: I have just been to China. At present, arranged by our company, I live in a local neighborhood, which is beautiful, convenient, and close to the subway. People here are friendly and passionate. The land of China is exciting, and the food here is rich and delicious. I have good impressions on Shanghai. It is a modern and international metropolis. I like Shanghai.
Q: Could you introduce your growth environment briefly in the U.K.?
A: I was brought up in an ordinary English family. My father is a senior vice-president of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and my mother is a financial manager of a company. I should say it is a warm family, and also a simple family in British society.
Q: Why do you choose to work and live in Shanghai for your career?
A: I want to learn Chinese, and the best way to learn the language is to come to China. China is an interesting country, and I came here to study Chinese cultures. I am young now. China is experiencing rapid changes and development, and it is a good time for observation and study. At the same time, I hope to have further development in my personal career.
Q: Did you known a lot about China before your arrival? At that time, what were your ideas about China?
A: I selected Chinese history when I was in Oxford University, and I knew well about China. China is an old country, and it has profound cultural backgrounds, so I am interested to visit China for further understanding.
Q: SARS broke out in China when E. J. McKay & Co. was recruiting in China, but you still chose China. Did you worry about SARS?
A: I was not so worried. When I was in the U.K., many relatives and friends warned me that I would get SARS if I came to China, but I thought it was temporary, and everything would be over. So when the World Health Organization cancelled the tourist ban of China, I came to Shanghai and was ready to work here for a long time for my career.
Q: There are many multi-national banks and companies in Shanghai, and numerous university graduates dream to work for those enterprises. Why did you choose E. J. McKay & Co.?
A: First of all, I am interested in Chinese cultures. Second, I like working for E. J. McKay & Co., Inc. It is a good opportunity and also a challenge for me. When the merger market in the world experiences depression, E. J. McKay & Co., Inc., still has many multi-national merger and investment projects, which makes me confident in the company. If I work for a traditional business bank, what I could do is to photocopy documents and make tea as an intern, while E. J., McKay & Co., Inc., provides much more space for me to develop what I have learned.
Q: In your opinion, how should China and the UK promote communications?
A: Communications work. Communications in economic trade and cultures are necessary, and people in both countries should understand each other more. Now many British people want to come to China. More than appreciating Chinese cultures or Chinese foods, we want to know more about the old Eastern country.
Oxford vs. Shanghai
Q: Which college did you study in?
A: I studied in Christ Church, which is the largest college and also one of the most famous and best colleges in Oxford University. Our college has produced 28 prime ministers and many other outstanding people.
Q: Since you studied history in Oxford, what do you think about the cultural differences between China and the U.K.?
A: There are many differences, different cultures, different cities, different thoughts, different commercial operations, etc. But it was only difference; nothing is better or worse. The differences are interesting, worth studying.
Q: How about the atmosphere in Oxford? Are there great influences on you?
A: In Oxford, you may feel like in an old castle, with meadows, lakes and swans around. The peaceful environment will make you ignore the outer world. Fortunately, I felt some interesting changes in China, and so I am here now.
Q: What do you think about your colleagues?
A: My Chinese colleagues are all friendly. They are excellent talents from Fudan University, Beijing University, Harvard University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, and so on. They are diligent, and we have good cooperation. Also they are ready to teach me Chinese; now I can speak a lot of Chinese.
Q: Have you got any special treatment?
A: Here I am special and not special. I am special because I come from the U.K., and we have different family backgrounds. But now I am a member of the company, and I do the same job and get the same treatment. In that aspect, I am not special.
Q: Are you accustomed to Shanghai now? Is there any difference between Shanghai and London?
A: It is not so hot in the U.K., and air-conditioners and water fountains are hardly seen in the U.K. In Shanghai, it is not so easy to meet foreigners on the street, thought it is an international city, a flourishing city. However, London is more international and fashionable, where people of different skins and different nations can be seen here and there.
(China Pictorial May 12, 2004)
