My name is Iris (艾丽斯), and I am currently completing my internship at FinnCham China’s Shanghai Chapter. To compliment my studies in Business and Management at HELBUS Helsinki School of Business, I wanted to gain hands-on experience in international business and discover what living and working in another country and culture is really like.

My first weeks in China were dedicated to exploring my new surroundings and studying the Chinese language. I have now successfully completed my language course, which introduced me to both the local culture and Shanghai’s international community. One particularly rewarding aspect was meeting people from all over the world. Even in our relatively small class, we had students representing 15 different nationalities! Outside of my studies and internship, I have also been making the most of Shanghai’s opportunities by taking up Brazilian jiu-jitsu, yoga and even dragon boat racing. These activities have been a great way to meet new people and become more involved in local life.

After completing my language course, I began my internship at FinnCham China. My core responsibilities focus on marketing, communications and event coordination. This includes creating marketing materials, managing marketing activities, communicating with our members and keeping them updated on upcoming events and initiatives. I am also involved throughout the event coordination process, from planning and promotion to attending and overseeing events on-site. Additionally, I maintain and update our CRM system and member data.

The past weeks have been particularly exciting, with opportunities to attend several business and networking events. Among the highlights have been an event involving JPMorgan and various gatherings organised in collaboration with the other Nordic Chambers of Commerce in Shanghai. These have offered valuable insights into the international business community and cooperation between Nordic businesses in China.

There is plenty more to look forward to, with numerous events already in the works. I am particularly excited about the upcoming Finnish Independence Day Gala and the opportunity to meet even more Finnish companies and professionals operating in China.

My internship has already given me a fascinating glimpse into international business, and I look forward to everything the coming months will bring!

Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn for networking opportunities or any questions regarding my internship experience.

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/iris-erviö-77164a233/

HELBUS: Etusivu - Helbus

First Steps into International Business in Shanghai