Hanze University helped Dutch enterprises to do successful business in China. During a two-week study trip to Tianjin, international communication students discovered cultural differences and built bridges to overcome these.
30 final year students were heading to Tianjin this weekend, to prove their intercultural competencies by carrying out consultancy projects for the benefit of 6 small and medium sized companies from the north of the Netherlands.
The China project, which is part of the final year specialisation “International Business Communication”, took place for the 3rd time. The project from 2008 welcomed the students from Nankai University with the slogan “Know-Hao China”. Students from both universities have worked closely together during these 2 weeks to exchange cultural knowledge.
The Hanze students followed an interactive program at Nankai University (10th best university in China) experiencing Chinese culture and business culture in particular while working together on the company projects. The Hanze students were excited about receiving help from the Chinese students: “Language barriers are slowing down our research progress; help from our buddies is much appreciated!”
The final year specialisation from Hanze University trains students to bridge communication gaps, which often was based on cultural differences. “Communication with Chinese business people is difficult for western entrepreneurs and vice versa”, states Trienke Drijfhout, coach of the China project. “This China specialisation is an eye-opening experience both for students and companies.”
Not only Hanze University was active in Tianjin trough their partnership with Nankai University. Groningen is enjoying a close relationship with sister city Tianjin for already 20 years. “Partnerships like these are important for the future. It is a Win-Win situation. We can learn a lot from each other”, says John Ebbink from Groningen City council, who endorses the China project.
Companies that are interested in doing business with China within this project can contact Trienke Drijfhout on t.drijfhout-roeters@pl.hanze.nl, for further information.