On the other hand, this experience in China was my best experience ever had, because it made me think about many things, such as Chinese people behaviors,they ways of expressing themselves, they ways of doing businesses… so many different things as regards to European countries. I knew that China was an old civilization but after having seen the old buildings, temples, the great wall…etc, then I realized that I was somewhere unique with a long history. So I loved China, and particularly Beijing.

Concerning the professional aspect of my internship, I worked in a company specialized in the import / export and distribution of quality foods and beverages. One of my mission consisted in finding foreign companies which are interested in exporting their products to China. Then our company organizes the distribution of the products to the different stores. After having take contact with the foreign companies, I always asked for samples and quotations. We discuss with our marketing and trading department colleagues to see if the product can succeed on the Chinese market, and then take the decision to import it. All this import process is a long term process, so everything must be forecasted and assessed.

Let’s take one example of what I’ve done: I’ve contacted a French company who were interested in exporting its Organic Tea, Coffee, and Wine…etc. After having received the samples in our office and the quotation, we decided to have a meeting with the Chairman of this company. So I organized a meeting in Beijing, in he’s hotel. The meeting has been good and we decided to import the products from France to China. Unfortunately, it was the end of my internship, so I couldn’t continue to deal with this company anymore; but my colleagues have taken my place.

I’ve also checked some international business documents like the official papers of the letter of credit, the bill of lading, certificates…etc. Any mistake is forbidden in these documents, even taping mistakes; so I double-checked them very carefully and I found some mistakes; then I told to my trading department colleague to correct them and then to send it to the client. My colleague appreciated my work because if there were any mistake, then, the client can refuse to pay the invoice even if he already gets the freight.

So, as you see, I had several small missions which made my work various and not boring. I really enjoyed to be in this company and to contribute to their success. Even if I hadn’t had too much responsibilities (of course, in an internship of 2 months, you don’t have many responsibilities), I thanks all of my colleagues who trust me. I also thanks to NE Institute, and particularly Catherine and Niko who find me this internship and followed my folder well.