Sarah Tseung at Said Busines School at the University of Oxford
Sarah Tseung
Said Business School, University of Oxford
Home City and Country: Hong Kong, China
Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Wealth Management intern, AIA Hong Kong
How has studying business in the United Kingdom enriched your learning experience?
Studying business in the United Kingdom has greatly broadened my horizons. The culture, strategy, and modes of businesses here are so different from my hometown and there is a lot to learn from these differences. For example, businesses in Hong Kong have a heavier emphasis on efficiency in comparison to those in Britain, but many British firms are more successful at integrating environmental objectives into their practices. I think that the only way to holistically learn about business and management is to have an international perspective, where you learn from others’ strengths to correct your shortcomings.
What has been the toughest transition to living in the United Kingdom so far? What have you done to overcome this difficulty?
As common as it is, the best answer to this question is “culture shock”! I remember during my first week I was shocked at everything; hugs as a way to greet, shops closing at 5 pm, contactless payment being used everywhere, and automatic tills at supermarkets…it was difficult at first, but time (and help from my British friends) makes everything easier. When I return to Hong Kong, I sometimes forget that people don’t do hugs as a greeting, and I get shocked looks from my relatives!
What school service has been the most helpful in transitioning to living in the United Kingdom? How has it helped you adapt?
I think the college family system was the most helpful, warm, and amazing thing on offer. It’s basically a mentorship-like system where each “fresher” (first-year university student) is allocated a “college mom” and “college dad” from the year above, who will take care of you if you need anything and provide a point of support in college. My college parents were lovely showing me around the college, giving me their notes, making sure I was coping with life in the UK… it really made Oxford seem less daunting and eased my initial anxiety!
What has been the most interesting cultural nuance of people living in the United Kingdom? Why has this struck you?
I have come to realise that British locals tend to be very, very polite. They will always decorate their speech so that it doesn’t come across as offensive, even if it’s something negative. For example, if you get a bad haircut, a British way to say it would be, “oh, your haircut looks quite bold, looking fashionable!”, whereas in Hong Kong people would just tell you it looks bad. I actually enjoy British cordiality, and I love it when people treat each other nicely and with respect, but sometimes if I’ve got a haircut that doesn’t suit me, I’d rather my friends say it to my face…
Are you seeking a Visa to work in the United Kingdom after graduation? If so, what obstacles have you faced and how did you overcome them?
Currently I am not seeking a Visa to work in the UK, as I am most likely going to return to Hong Kong to work.
What have you done to make it easier to make friends with people from outside your home country at business school?
The thing I found most helpful is going to events such as formal dinners, college “bops” (basically parties in a nearby club), or speaker events, where I (with immense bravery) try speaking to strangers who look friendly. Or when I attend lectures, I might chat to a few course-mates sitting in the same row. I find the “golden” period to make friends is the first few weeks of your degree, where everyone is trying to make friends as well.
What piece of advice would you give to an international student looking to study in a UK graduate business program?
I’d say always venture out of your comfort zone. A business degree can be intense and overwhelming, but the fullest student life is not always found within the classroom. Give different societies a try, talk to people from other cultures even if you’re anxious, and you will find ways to enrich yourself beyond the academic experience. That doesn’t mean blindly pushing yourself, but keeping an open mind about learning abroad is always good!
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