Plowing the fields to help young farmers get their fields ready/犁地帮助年轻农民整地

The political collaboration and long-lasting friendship between Suriname and China have made it possible for me to undertake these trips and my graduate studies in China smoothly. Both countries recognize the importance of youth in the development of their respective nations. Having been involved in the agricultural sector since my teens, I have seen firsthand the heights that the youth can achieve with the right support.

因为苏里南和中国之间的政治合作和长久友谊使我能够在中国顺利进行这些访问和研究生学习。两国都认可青年在各自国家发展中的重要性。我从十几岁起就投身于农业部门，我亲眼目睹了年轻人在适当的支持下可以达到的高度。

Nurturing my business acumen 培养我的商业敏锐度

During my Master's program, I had to re-evaluate my perspective on business policy and its impact on socio-economic relations. This has led to a deeper understanding of the nuances of the different regions with which we conduct business.

在我读硕士课程期间，我不得不重新评估我对商业政策及其对社会经济关系的影响的看法。这使我们对开展业务的不同地区的细微差别有了更深入的了解。

Furthermore, my new understanding of interrelations has helped me identify new opportunities for exporting garlic to the Caribbean and South American markets. Before this understanding, my approach was limited to a simple supply and demand analysis, where I would assess what customers were buying and from where, then find the best price from that country. While this approach was profitable, it often did not result in sustainable relationships with producers or traders.

此外，我对相互关系的新理解帮助我找到了向加勒比和南美市场出口大蒜的新机会。在了解这一点之前，我的方法仅限于简单的供求分析，即评估客户在购买什么，从哪里购买，然后找到来自那个国家的最佳价格。虽然这种方法是有利可图的，但它往往无法与生产者或贸易商建立可持续的关系。

Costa Rican coffee expansion meeting/哥斯达黎加咖啡扩展会议

One of the most memorable moments I encountered while nurturing my business acumen skills was understanding the importance of considering historical data and making economic predictions during my numerous partnerships with relevant stakeholders. As an expat business professional operating in the Chinese market, it comes with its own challenges. It is imperative to utilize not only your knowledge acquired from school but also your "street smarts." In a fast space economy like China, it is easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you are not entirely familiar with the environment. Not only do you need to have a good command of the local language, but you also need to nurture your interpersonal skills.

在培养我的商业技能时，我遇到的最难忘的时刻之一是，在我与利益相关者的众多合作伙伴关系中，我理解了考虑历史数据和做出经济预测的重要性。作为在中国市场经营的外籍商务人士，它面临着自身的挑战。不仅要利用你从学校学到的知识，还要利用你的“街头智慧”。在像中国这样快速发展的经济浪潮中，很容易感到不知所措，尤其是当你不完全熟悉环境的时候，您不仅需要学会当地语言，还需要培养人际交往能力。

This approach was first applied during my work with a packaging factory which I have partnered with since 2020. I had to utilize my interpersonal skills plus my industry knowledge to maintain good relations with this factory, especially during the COVID period when business opportunities fluctuated immensely. Through all the ups and downs, we have been able to maintain a strong relationship with them. Packaging is a lot more straightforward compared to agricultural products, not only due to the fact that they are perishable but also because of the seasonality, cultural preferences, and varying policies in different countries when it comes to importing them.

这种方法首次应用于我与一家包装工厂的工作期间，该包装工厂自2020年以来一直是我的合作伙伴。我必须利用我的人际交往技能和我的行业知识来保持与这家工厂的良好关系，特别是在新冠疫情期间，当时的商业机会波动很大。经历了所有的风风雨雨，我们一直能够与他们保持牢固的关系。与农产品相比，包装要简单得多，这不仅是因为农产品容易腐烂，还因为季节性、文化偏好以及不同国家在进口农产品时的不同政策。

Food grade packaging factory/食品级包装工厂参观

For example, in the case of garlic trade, a simple supply and demand analysis would only consider the basic relation between the quantity of garlic that farmers are willing to produce and the quantity that consumers are willing to buy. Now, I am taking into account factors such as tariffs, import-export policies, and cultural preferences, which have a significant impact on the price, quality, and quantity of garlic and the relationships we are building in the trade. This has helped me identify the markets that have the best options for the different types and sizes of garlic from Jinxiang, Shandong.

例如，就大蒜贸易而言，简单的供需分析只考虑农民愿意生产的大蒜数量与消费者愿意购买的数量之间的基本关系。现在，我正在考虑关税、进出口政策和文化偏好等因素，这些因素对大蒜的价格、质量和数量以及我们在贸易中建立的关系有重大影响。这帮助我确定了山东一个地方为不同类型大蒜的最佳选择市场。

By using this method, I have sent different samples to these markets to assess how receptive they are to the types and price points. As the new Chinese year commences, I look forward to the visits to the farms and factories organized, gathering feedback, and implementing further relationship-building with the integrated farmers and processors that had the best responses in the market. I cannot think of a better way to celebrate the New Year than that.

通过使用这种方法，我向这些市场发送了不同的样本，以评估他们对类型和价格点的接受程度。随着中国新年的开始，我期待着参观有组织的农场和工厂。收集反馈并与市场上综合反应最好的农民种植户和加工商进一步建立关系。除此之外我想不出更好的方式来庆祝新年了。

My Experiences 我的经验

One of the key lessons I have learned from the fast-paced business landscape in China is the importance of adaptability and flexibility. The business environment in China is constantly evolving, with new technologies and market trends emerging at a rapid pace. This requires companies and individuals to be able to pivot quickly and effectively in order to stay competitive.

我从中国快节奏的商业环境中学到的重要经验之一是适应性和灵活性的重要性。随着新技术和市场趋势的快速发展，中国的商业环境正在不断变化。这就要求公司和个人能够快速有效地进行调整，以保持竞争力。

Additionally, I have learned the importance of staying informed and up-to-date on the latest developments in the industry. This includes staying abreast of new technologies, market trends, and government policies that may influence the business environment. Access to accurate and timely information is crucial for making informed decisions and staying ahead of the curve.

此外，我还学到了保持了解行业最新发展动态的重要性。这包括及时了解可能影响商业环境的新技术、市场趋势和政府政策。获得准确及时的信息对于做出明智的决策和保持领先地位至关重要。

Log inspection for export to China /出口到中国的木材检验

Another important lesson I have learned is the importance of building and maintaining a strong network of industry contacts. The business landscape in China is highly interconnected, and having a network of contacts can open up new opportunities and provide valuable insights. It is important to build relationships with key players in the industry, including government officials, industry leaders, and other professionals.

我学到的另一个重要经验是建立和维护强大的行业联系网络的重要性。中国的商业环境是相互高度关联的，拥有人脉网络可以开辟新的机会并提供宝贵的见解。重要的是要与行业中的关键参与者建立关系，包括政府官员、行业领袖和其他专业人士。

Lastly, I learned the importance of cultural understanding and sensitivity in business. In order to be successful in the Chinese market, it is essential to understand the country's policies, cultural norms, and values of the country, as well as how they may differ from those in other regions. This includes understanding the importance of personal relationships in business, as well as how to communicate and negotiate with Chinese partners and clients effectively.

最后，我学到了对商业文化理解和敏感的重要性。如果要在中国市场取得成功，必须了解该中国国家政策及文化规范和价值观，以及它们与其他地区的差异。这包括理解个人关系在商业中的重要性，以及如何有效地与中国合作伙伴和客户沟通和谈判。

Overall, my experiences in China's fast-paced business landscape have taught me the importance of adaptability, staying informed, building a strong network, and cultural understanding in order to succeed in today's globalized business world.

总的来说，我在中国快节奏的商业环境中的经历教会了我适应能力、保持信息、建立强大的网络和文化理解的重要性，以便在当今全球化的商业世界中取得成功。

Attending Surinamese Independence and networking event with the Surinamese Embassy /与苏里南大使馆一起参加苏里南独立和社交活动