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光華#系列訪談由光華MBA國際事務部特別出品，旨在介紹光華MBA在讀學生及其在光華學習的故事。來自拉脫維亞的Tarass Leocko曾在2009年到訪中國，十年後，是什麼促使著他重回中國攻讀MBA學位呢？讓我們聽聽他的故事！
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.
愛因斯坦說過的一句話恰如其分地揭示了我在中國生活、進入光華讀書的原因：「生活就像騎自行車，只有不斷前進才能保持平衡。」不安於現狀、堅持不懈，才能在瞬息萬變的環境中立於不敗之地。
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
家鄉：拉脫維亞，裡加
個人趣事：16歲時，我在拉脫維亞還是「外國人」（非公民），辦理入籍手續之後，才正式成為拉脫維亞公民。
畢業院校：拉脫維亞大學工商管理專業
工作經歷：拉脫維亞投資發展署，投資項目經理
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.
攻讀MBA學位之前，我曾在多家公司工作過，接觸過多個行業。2014年，我加入高力國際（Colliers International），成為一位商業房地產投資顧問。在房地產行業打拼了大約三年後，我又跳槽到一家數字印刷公司，後來還在政府機構工作了一段時間。
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.
我在數字印刷公司的履歷雖然短暫，但收穫不小，承擔了多次富有挑戰性的任務。比如，有一次我必須在三周內完成一款新旗艦智慧型手機視覺資料的設計、製作和安裝，為世界頂級品牌在三個國家50多家門店的促銷活動做準備。我不得不放棄節假日連續加班，終於在客戶的截止日期之前完成了任務。這些經歷讓我切實體驗到了職業經理人的日常生活與繁忙的工作方式。
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.
是時候改變工作和生活方式，進行自我充電啦。大學畢業後，我決定先工作一段時間，看看自己是否需要考研。進入房地產行業後，我認識到缺乏真正的全球化思維方式所帶來的限制，因此決定出國讀書，進一步擴展知識面，同時積累全球人脈資源。
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.
我上大學的時候就對中國產生了興趣，尤其對中國經濟及其飛速發展的勢頭感到好奇。此外，我寫過一篇拉脫維亞文的有關商業活動中關係現象的學期論文，而我的畢業論文主題也涉及深圳經濟特區。毫無疑問，中國將繼續發展壯大，並且對世界經濟產生巨大影響，因此我們必須認識和了解這個市場。我認為，在當地生活一段時間才是了解中國的最佳方式。
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.
攻讀MBA之前我最後一個工作單位是拉脫維亞投資發展署，因此地點對我來說非常重要。毫無疑問，我在北京上學才有機會與地方和外國組織建立聯繫。經過一番比較，我了解到北京大學和光華管理學院的確是中國一流的教育機構，並在亞洲享有盛譽。課程設置既專業又不失多樣性，同學來自世界各地，這也是我選擇北大的一個關鍵因素。
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.
新學期開始前的新生晚會匯演給我留下了深刻印象。這是一個井然有序的大型演出現場，學校為MBA學生提供了寬大的舞臺、光電幕牆、燈光等設備。加上專業化妝、演出服裝和樂器伴奏，同學們的演出水準堪比專業劇團。這種場面讓我大開眼界。
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.
我認為意志堅定、求知慾強是光華學子的共同品質。獲得光華的入學資格，是對每個人勤奮努力的一種認可。此外，來自西方國家的學生面對的困難更多——他們必須克服溝通障礙，走出舒適區，融入東方學生的圈子。此外，所有學生都下定決心，希望掌握儘可能多的知識，同時與同學和教授相處融洽。最終，我們都要返回到祖國，因此建立強大的人際網絡和畢業後也能維持多年的深層次友誼至關重要。
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.
攻讀MBA之前，我幾乎每天都做一些有氧運動，比如慢跑、騎車、散步等，有時也去健身房和跆拳道館。遺憾的是MBA開學後的第一個學期，我沒有足夠時間來參加這些活動。另外，我以前也喜歡嘻哈舞和其他街舞，即使現在我仍能隨著音樂即興跳上一段。我還喜歡踢足球，我報名參加了光華國際班足球隊，代表光華出徵校內比賽。
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.
我之前來過幾次北京，對於這座城市我已經相當熟悉。我承認，歐洲中等城市的生活節奏相對緩慢，而北京的生活壓力有時過大。但是，我必須快速適應環境，集中精力，提高效率。在這種快節奏的生活裡，短短一個月，我已經迅速融入了這座城市。另外，這裡的日常生活非常方便，比如手機支付和快遞服務等。與歐洲的一些大城市相比，除了偶爾有人橫穿馬路，北京整體的安全係數很高。
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.
第一學期我體驗了很多令人激動的特別時刻，比如每月一度的生日晚餐。此外，我覺得與同學一起參加聖誕聚會的氣氛也很特別，讓人感到輕鬆愉快。
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.
在本科期間，我曾在比利時布魯塞爾交換過一個學期。那段經歷大大開拓了我的視野，讓我有機會結識許多背景迥異的同學。儘管長遠來看我仍然希望回國發展，但也意識到選擇合適的環境和拓展社交網絡對於促進個人發展的重要性。
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.
我希望那時的自己已經成家，並在一家私企或公共部門從事中歐商貿方面的工作。我希望自己能夠利用閒暇時間和資源來從事公益事業，同時幫助年輕人挖掘潛能和實現個人夢想。