WHY GUANGHUA

#WhyGuanghua#is a special feature on our MBA students' stories with Guanghua School of Management. For the first time, Tarass Leocko from Latvia has visited China back in 2009. But why did he get back after ten years to pursue an MBA degree? Let us hear his story!

#Why光华#系列访谈由光华MBA国际事务部特别出品，旨在介绍光华MBA在读学生及其在光华学习的故事。来自拉脱维亚的Tarass Leocko曾在2009年到访中国，十年后，是什么促使着他重回中国攻读MBA学位呢？让我们听听他的故事！

Tarass Leocko

The best quote that can describe life in China and also my studies at Guanghua School of Management is by Albert Einstein: “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” Being restless and determined is vital for the successful existence in a constantly changing environment.

爱因斯坦说过的一句话恰如其分地揭示了我在中国生活、进入光华读书的原因：“生活就像骑自行车，只有不断前进才能保持平衡。”不安于现状、坚持不懈，才能在瞬息万变的环境中立于不败之地。

Hometown: Riga, Latvia

Fun Fact About Yourself: Until the age of 16 I used to be an alien (non-citizen), later on, I went through the naturalization process to become a citizen of Latvia.

Previous School and Major: B.Sc. in Business Administration, University of Latvia

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Investment project manager at the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia

家乡：拉脱维亚，里加

个人趣事：16岁时，我在拉脱维亚还是“外国人”（非公民），办理入籍手续之后，才正式成为拉脱维亚公民。

毕业院校：拉脱维亚大学工商管理专业

工作经历：拉脱维亚投资发展署，投资项目经理

1、Can you give us a brief introductionof your experience?

Prior to joining the MBA program, I have worked in several companies and industries. In 2014, I have joined Colliers International and became a commercial real estate investment consultant. After almost three years in real estate, I have joined a digital printing company and later on a government agency for a while.

攻读MBA学位之前，我曾在多家公司工作过，接触过多个行业。2014年，我加入高力国际（Colliers International），成为一位商业房地产投资顾问。在房地产行业打拼了大约三年后，我又跳槽到一家数字印刷公司，后来还在政府机构工作了一段时间。

2、Describe your biggest accomplishmentin your career so far:

My short-term experience in the digital printing company brought me a couple of tough challenges. For instance, I had to organize the design, production, and installation of various visual materials for the promo campaign of a new flagship smartphone (world’s top brand) across three countries in more than 50 stores within 3 weeks. I had to work even during national holidays, but we did it meeting the deadline of the client. Eventually, I could get a feeling of the daily life and workload of a manager.

我在数字印刷公司的履历虽然短暂，但收获不小，承担了多次富有挑战性的任务。比如，有一次我必须在三周内完成一款新旗舰智能手机视觉资料的设计、制作和安装，为世界顶级品牌在三个国家50多家门店的促销活动做准备。我不得不放弃节假日连续加班，终于在客户的截止日期之前完成了任务。这些经历让我切实体验到了职业经理人的日常生活与繁忙的工作方式。

3、What led you to pursue an MBAat this point in your career?

It was the right moment to switch gears and push myself to the next level. After graduating from university, I have decided to work for a while to understand whether I need any master’s degree. While working in the real estate industry I have noticed that there are some limitations and lack of truly global thinking. That is why I have decided that it is time to expand my knowledge and contacts abroad.

是时候改变工作和生活方式，进行自我充电啦。大学毕业后，我决定先工作一段时间，看看自己是否需要考研。进入房地产行业后，我认识到缺乏真正的全球化思维方式所带来的限制，因此决定出国读书，进一步扩展知识面，同时积累全球人脉资源。

4、Why China?

I was interested in China since my bachelor studies. In particular, I was curious about the economy and such rapid development. Moreover, I wrote a term paper in Latvian about Guanxi phenomena in business, and my thesis was about Shenzhen's special economic zone. Undoubtedly, China will continue to develop and grow, and it already has a huge impact on the world economy, thus you have to know and understand this market. But the best way to learn about China is to come and stay in China at least for a while.

我上大学的时候就对中国产生了兴趣，尤其对中国经济及其飞速发展的势头感到好奇。此外，我写过一篇拉脱维亚文的有关商业活动中关系现象的学期论文，而我的毕业论文主题也涉及深圳经济特区。毫无疑问，中国将继续发展壮大，并且对世界经济产生巨大影响，因此我们必须认识和了解这个市场。我认为，在当地生活一段时间才是了解中国的最佳方式。

5、What was the key factor(s) that led you to determine on PKU Guanghua instead of other schools, and why was it so important to you?

Location was important for me as my last workplace was at the state investment agency, there was no doubt that I had to choose Beijing in order to connect with local and foreign organizations. After a quick research, I have understood that Peking University and Guanghua School of Management are undoubtedly leading institutions in China and are well-known in Asia. A balanced and diverse study programme with students from around the world was also a crucial factor for choosing PKU as the number one priority.

攻读MBA之前我最后一个工作单位是拉脱维亚投资发展署，因此地点对我来说非常重要。毫无疑问，我在北京上学才有机会与地方和外国组织建立联系。经过一番比较，我了解到北京大学和光华管理学院的确是中国一流的教育机构，并在亚洲享有盛誉。课程设置既专业又不失多样性，同学来自世界各地，这也是我选择北大的一个关键因素。

6、Which event/activity impressed youthe most in your MBA Studies?

The MBA performance night before the start of the semester impressed me a lot. It was a well-organized big show with a huge stage, screens, lights, other equipment and all that just for MBA students. Some shows prepared by our fellow students were like scenes from opera or theatres with make-up, costumes, and musical instruments. This is something I have not seen anywhere before.

新学期开始前的新生晚会汇演给我留下了深刻印象。这是一个井然有序的大型演出现场，学校为MBA学生提供了宽大的舞台、光电幕墙、灯光等设备。加上专业化妆、演出服装和乐器伴奏，同学们的演出水准堪比专业剧团。这种场面让我大开眼界。

7、What quality best describes yourMBA classmates and why?

I believe that persistence and curiosity are those qualities that have all our classmates. Getting into Guanghua is a result of each individual journey that required a lot of work and effort in the past. Moreover, foreign students from the West is even more challenging in terms of overcoming inner barriers, getting out of the comfort zone and moving to another part of the world. Second, all students are determined to get as much as possible while studying and cooperating with fellow students and professors. Eventually, we all get back to work all around the world, but it is crucial to create a strong network and meaningful friendship that will last for many years even after graduation.

我认为意志坚定、求知欲强是光华学子的共同品质。获得光华的入学资格，是对每个人勤奋努力的一种认可。此外，来自西方国家的学生面对的困难更多——他们必须克服沟通障碍，走出舒适区，融入东方学生的圈子。此外，所有学生都下定决心，希望掌握尽可能多的知识，同时与同学和教授相处融洽。最终，我们都要返回到祖国，因此建立强大的人际网络和毕业后也能维持多年的深层次友谊至关重要。

8、What do you like to do in your spare time?

Before MBA studies I used to do some light cardio activities almost every day – jogging, cycling, walking, sometimes going to the gym and attending kickboxing classes. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time during my first semester for all of that. Also, I used to dance hip-hop and other street dance styles back in the days. Even now I can put some music to dance and stretch a bit. When I was a kid, I used to play soccer, that is why I have joined our Guanghua international class soccer team that participated in the school’s tournament.

攻读MBA之前，我几乎每天都做一些有氧运动，比如慢跑、骑车、散步等，有时也去健身房和跆拳道馆。遗憾的是MBA开学后的第一个学期，我没有足够时间来参加这些活动。另外，我以前也喜欢嘻哈舞和其他街舞，即使现在我仍能随着音乐即兴跳上一段。我还喜欢踢足球，我报名参加了光华国际班足球队，代表光华出征校内比赛。

9、How do you find life in Beijing,and how is it different fromwhat you have imagined?

I have been to Beijing a couple of times before, so maybe there were not that many surprises. However, I should admit that after a relatively calm life in a mid-sized European city, life in Beijing is sometimes too stressful for me. However, I had to quickly adapt, stay focused and be efficient. Eventually, after one month in Beijing, I had a feeling that I am here for a half year or more, as my daily life was very dynamic. Also, a lot of things are very convenient, like cashless payments and quick delivery. It is quite safe as well, except while crossing the street, compared to some big cities in Europe.

我之前来过几次北京，对于这座城市我已经相当熟悉。我承认，欧洲中等城市的生活节奏相对缓慢，而北京的生活压力有时过大。但是，我必须快速适应环境，集中精力，提高效率。在这种快节奏的生活里，短短一个月，我已经迅速融入了这座城市。另外，这里的日常生活非常方便，比如手机支付和快递服务等。与欧洲的一些大城市相比，除了偶尔有人横穿马路，北京整体的安全系数很高。

10、Describe one of the best moments in Beijing so far:

There were several special and emotional moments during the first semester, like birthday dinners. But I think Christmas dinner with most of our classmates had a special atmosphere, relaxing and full of joy.

第一学期我体验了很多令人激动的特别时刻，比如每月一度的生日晚餐。此外，我觉得与同学一起参加圣诞聚会的气氛也很特别，让人感到轻松愉快。

11、What was your defining moment and how did it shape who you are?

I had my exchange studies for one semester in Brussels, Belgium during my bachelor studies. During that period, I actually started to think broader and met a lot of people with very different backgrounds. Although, I still wanted to go back and stay in my home country in the long run, I have also understood the importance of choosing the right environment and expanding your social network to facilitate personal development.

在本科期间，我曾在比利时布鲁塞尔交换过一个学期。那段经历大大开拓了我的视野，让我有机会结识许多背景迥异的同学。尽管长远来看我仍然希望回国发展，但也意识到选择合适的环境和拓展社交网络对于促进个人发展的重要性。

12、Where do you see yourself in ten years?

I would like to see myself as a husband with my own family working for either a private company or in the public sector that is related to business activities between Europe and China. I would be happy if I will also have time and resources to combine it with activities that would promote my country and help youth to realize their full potential.

我希望那时的自己已经成家，并在一家私企或公共部门从事中欧商贸方面的工作。我希望自己能够利用闲暇时间和资源来从事公益事业，同时帮助年轻人挖掘潜能和实现个人梦想。

编辑：颜回