Sunday 8
On Sunday we all arrived in Amsterdam in the afternoon but we couldn’t see much. Students from Zaragoza, Barcelona and Seville were able to walk around the city for a few hours. The students from Madrid and Valencia arrived at night. Everything was new, we didn’t know the people, the city, the neighborhood, the language… so we didn’t interact with each other far more than a polite greeting.
We went to our bedrooms early to rest and take some energy for our first day in class the next day.
Monday 9
On Monday morning we had our first lesson at the university; it was a good moment to learn a bit more about how the Chinese economy had been changing over the years. The main item we can subtract as the most important, or at least the most attractive for us were: how the PGD per capita is distributed and the inequality that exist all around the country; the first item is related to the second one because we learn that the rural areas have gradually become depopulating due to the importance of industry and commerce (which are located in the eastern part of the country), that means that in a lot of areas of China there’s no way to generate wealth because they are engaged in agriculture. And the last, but not least item we consider important is the relation they take with the rest of the countries, specially with the western ones, namely, the ones that along the history had trate China as a lower county, for example, the rivalry they have with the UK due to the entrance of opium in China and all the people that become addict. That was a “shame” for all the government and like a scar they can’t or wan’t to heal.
In the afternoon, a visit to the ABN Amro bank was scheduled. We had the pleasure of learning about how one of the biggest banks in the Netherlands works and operates after the pandemic situation. One interesting thing she told us is how they are working with the elder people who struggle when the internet and technology appears (through courses, individual advice…)
Then we could learn some interesting aspects about how Covid-19 had affected the Chinese economy, what was the current situation and what are the predictions for the near future including how they are recovering.
At the end of the talk, we went to visit the city, we had the opportunity to talk and get to know each other and as we were in an immersion week in China, we had the pleasure of getting closer to the traditional food of China in a great diner offered by a Chinese restaurant.
Tuesday 10
Next day we went to the university and had our second lesson. On this occasion we talked about Chinese customs, how to start a business in China and the main differences that we can perceive with western countries, even though we had a small preview of what would be the most surprising thing learned in the subject: the Spanish and the Chinese are much more similar than we thought.
And without expecting anything from anyone, a new teacher entered our class and started to teach us Chinese. Oh my god we couldn’t believe how hard is this idiom, with all the ways of pronouncing the same word and how different the meaning is depending on the intonation (horse and mother for example), but the overall was so positive.
In the afternoon we went to visit the Rijksmuseum where we could see some works of art of great importance and some historical remains. Brechtine told us that there are some Chinese sculptures and recommended that we pay attention to those that attracted us the most. Firstly, there are some photographs of the main pictures we consider the most attractive.
And now, those sculptures that come from China or are inspired in the tradition, the porcelain, the drawings of each piece…
It’s impressive how some of the pieces had come from China to the Netherlands, and how well cared for they are.
After that we had the opportunity to continue visiting the city, exploring the traditions and the neighborhoods, talking and getting to know each other a bit more every minute.
Wednesday 11
Following the dynamic of the days before, on Wednesday we went to the university to take our lesson. In this case, we were a bit more familiar with the Chinese traditions, how they start a business, and how the relations take care.
That lesson we started talking about an expression very important to know when greeting a Chinese person and talking about business. That expression was “FACE”, and they taught us that there are 3 different ways or surroundings of the meaning, according to the verb you put before. Loose face (the worst thing you can do to a Chinese), give face (like cheering up or congratulating) and save face (avoid that someone lose respect or to avoid embarrassment).
Another expression was “GUANXI” whose meaning refers to the importance it has for the Chinese, the relations, the community, being well related, having back-up, talking and sharing their personal matters even with coworkers or colleagues.
That was a really interesting lesson, because we approach our vision to the Chinese tradition. Oh, almost forgot it, we understand why our dinner was so spicy that most of us couldn’t handle it. It’s because depending on the geographic area the way of cooking is different. For example, in the middle and north area it is spicy, and as much as we can remember, in the Beijing area it is more salty and in Shanghai sweeter.
Then we took our brunch in the facilities of the university and waited for the bus to pick us; we were going to Huawei, a Chinese company near Amsterdam. In the visit we learnt a bit more about how many things this company is doing beyond the technology we know about mobiles, laptops, TV…
Moreover, we also listened to a great testimony on how a person should work hard and step by step to follow the objective and obtain the results that are expected.
Before we came back we had the pleasure of visiting the showroom where they explained with more detail and we could imagine how all their technology works and everything that is behind the LOGO.
Back to Ámsterdam the bus left us near the university and we went to the hotel, but with a huge surprise. Ajax played a match and it was determinant to became the champion of the Dutch League.
What a party! We had such an amazing time, singing the songs, talking to the fans, and jumping all over the space. luckily they became champions after winning 5-0. The atmosphere was amazing and so funny.
Thursday 12
On Thursday we participated in the last lesson of our business study tour. As on Tuesday, it was divided in two parts.
In the first part we continued learning about economics or some laws that don’t exist in China (the freedom of copy that is not punish) and their tips for the negotiation process, like how to sit in a table if you have a dinner with a Chinese company, how to toast (because depending on the high of you glass you show a respect) or the order at the time of picking the meals in a rotary table.
Apart from that, we spoke about the different habits of the Chinese people, and specially in the terms of negotiation. This brings us back to Tuesday, when we started to see how similar our culture is to the Chinese. In terms of punctuality, how we face the problem, the way we show to the rest of the people we are happy despite going through a hard time…
In the last part of the session, we could learn a little more Chinese, and we have to recognize that for all of us it was the best part of the classes. Sincerely, at any moment we think that we could speak any of Chinese, this language that we considered impossible but after the trip we don’t discard to practice in the future.
Then, we could eat all together in the excellent facilities of the University before going on a board trip along the Amsterdam canals. Obviously, it was an excellent moment to continue learning about the city and seeing the iconic parts of this curious city. Like the Anne Frank house, some iconic hotels, the library or the academy of music…
Finally, in the night, we could share some hours all together, as a team, in a bar and keep forward in the process of meeting others. At the end of the experience, we can relate it has been the most important part of this Business Study Tour. Having the occasion of knowing more people who can be in the future a coworker, sharing time, anecdotes and terms we have been learning along this time in the master.
Friday 13
On Friday we finalized the classes, and we had to do our final test. Therefore, we answered an exam of 24 questions related to all the items that we explained before on the other day’s descriptions. Our biggest surprise was that some questions were related with Chinese! But, fortunately, we could answer them well and demonstrate that we were attentive and interested in these amazing lessons.
Besides that, we could listen to the final exposition of our excellent hostess in Amsterdam, the person in charge who took care of all of us as if we were his sons and daughters.
After that, we could visit singular corners of Amsterdam, like “Anne Frank House”, “Heineken experience” or really interesting tours around the city, where we had the opportunity to know the curiosities behind these unmistakable streets.
Finally, we had the opportunity to have lunch all together, as a team, sharing unforgettable moments and having fun with those unknown people who in only one week became important people in our life, and we think that we can name FRIENDS.
Saturday 14
On Saturday, we enjoyed the last day of our trip. We had to take back from Amsterdam to our cities, and it was the moment for farewells. Seeing the amazing relations that we built wasn’t an easy moment for any of us.
Despite being in different cities of Spain, we are convinced that this wasn’t the last time we shared moments together.
We expect to meet soon and continue sharing our confidences and experiences through social networks.