Airbus China

Last Friday was my last day at Airbus China, where I have been working during the last 3 months as part of the program (METP) between Europe and China in which I was participating during the last 10 months.

This was my first job in China and the experience was very positive. Want to clarify that Airbus China not is a typical Chinese company, but a branch of an European company.

The Chinese were the largest number of workers at Airbus China. Expatriates, mainly from France, Germany and Spain accounted approximately 10% of the total staff. The relationship between local staff and expatriates was good, although I could appreciate a lack of integration, mainly caused for the language and culture barriers.

There were two moments along the day were the lack of integration was evident. One moment was at the company bus and the other at the canteen during lunch time. At the bus Chinese were seat in one area and expats were seated on the other. Each of them speaking their own language. In the canteen was very rear to see shared tables by Chine and non-Chinese staff.

I personally believe that expats miss a very good opportunity of learning the Chinese language and culture. During the last three months I was seated with my Chinese colleagues, both on the bus as well as during lunch time and I think I have learned quite a lot.

At this point I do not want you to think the atmosphere at Airbus Chinas was not good because it is not true. For instance, I had a German boss that managed to have a very good atmosphere at his department. I also fell very comfortable and had good relationship with him, at least until before the final of the European Football Cup (Germany 0 – Spain 1)…

Some pictures

The flags

Last year when I left my flat in Madrid I made the party of the flag. We had a very good time and it was very interesting, for instance I learned that the actual Canadian flag is just over 40 years old.

Last Saturday, a friend from the Spanish Canary Islands (Jorge) and who also lives in Beijing managed to put some ground between the Swedish football supportersan small group of Spanish people that were watching the football game: Spain – Sweden (with final score 2-1).

People from the Canary Island are very patriotic about Spain. I would say that much more than many people living in the Spanish peninsula.

The moment in which Spain scored its second goal was very enjoyable. The bar was full, mainly by Swedish football fans. Included my Danish friend Thomas and his colleague that were in China for work and spent the weekend in Beijing. Scandinavian knows how to support each other when they are outside Scandinavia.

Howoever, the best moment of the night was just after the Spanish team scored its second goal. My Vasque friend Nuria was wearing, for his first time in her life she told us, the flag of Spain. At that moment I learned that both, the Vasque flag (Inkurriña) - flag that Nuria still loves very much - and the flag from Spain can live together.

Second Quarter of 2008

It has been a long while since I was telling about my life in Beijing. In early May the Chinese curse was over, then I started my three months internship. I had some visitors over, so the time went by very quickly.

I went to Shanghai as I said on my last post. This city is more similar to European cities than Beijing. Then, my brother Tomas was visiting around Eastern holidays and we had a nice trip together to Xian. Victor – the traveller – paid me his second visit. This time together with his friend Javier. I understand, they are now organising Cuba´s event for the end of July in Madrid. Right afterVictor and Javier, Alicia came and fortunally I think that her idea about China changed a litter bit. Now she even write about China. The whole team of Novatronic with my brother Teo, his girfriend Isa as well as Alfonso, Eduardo and Marta were here in Beijing. After we all went together to Taiwan. I just came back the day before yesterday.

The Chinese class finished at the beginning of April. Right after I change the morning walk to class for the company buss which leads me to Airbus China by the airport. At Airbus I have been for two months already and I only have three weeks to go. They treat me quite well by giving me the option to chose language (English or Mandarin) as well as type of food (there is canteen with Chinese food and other with western food).

About trips, on top of the already mentioned, I visited Hangzhou at the end of April. This city has a very famous and beautiful ake. The long weekend of the 1^st of May I went to a city 250 Km north Beijing (Zhangjiakou). The criteria for the selection was a city with no tourists during the long weekend. The last meeting of the European that are participating on the program took place in Hainan Island. We enjoyed very good fish and sea food as well as tropical fruit on the street. The last that not least was last week to Taiwan. I spend few days in the northen capital – Taipei – and the weekend at the southern capital Tainan. I did not managed to go where some Spanish people was already in 1626, just after the Portuguese give the name of “Ilha Formosa” and before the Dutch kick us out of the island in 1641.