Hi, I’m Samantha and I am due to start a training contract with the firm in March. I have been a paralegal at Wragge & Co for almost a year and am currently on a six-month secondment in the Guangzhou office.

I am always keen to visit interesting places and experience new cultures. Therefore, a secondment to China seemed the perfect way to combine my enthusiasm for travel with the opportunity to gain an insight into the workings of the world’s second largest economy and acquire invaluable business skills.

Everyone in the Guangzhou office has made me feel extremely welcome, all sending me ‘best wishes’ emails before I had even arrived. On my first day, I was taken out for a team lunch, getting my first taste of authentic Chinese cuisine… although I politely declined the chicken feet!

It is exciting to step outside of my comfort zone and take on a new challenge. I am currently concentrating on business development work to promote the services of Wragge & Co and establish a network of contacts in China. This involves attending meetings, networking events and writing articles.

I have attended several seminars hosted by the British, German and American Chambers of Commerce, had various business lunches with the view to building relations and exploring opportunities and have made friends and business contacts at evening networking events.

Highlights so far have included: visiting a government official in Gaoming (two hours outside Guangzhou city); travelling to Hong Kong for a China 2012 business forum; heading to the 68th floor of theCantonTower for an inter-chambers drinks event; and attending a dinner at the Consul General’s house in Shanghai.

When back in the office I compile pitch documents for potential clients, source sponsorship opportunities, draft marketing materials and assist with the general running of the office, including providing training and overseeing the China billing process…so plenty to keep me busy!

However, it’s not all work! Recently the Head of the IP Department and an IP Director visited the office and I compiled a full social schedule including bowling, the Chinese circus, a BBQ, and Mamma Mia in Mandarin at the Opera House!

I have also made lots of great friends in China, with whom I get to spend my downtime and enjoy what Guangzhou has to offer, such as its interesting cuisine, colourful nightlife and cultural sights. My colleague, Le Rong, and I also recently undertook a 43K hike for charity in the Danxia mountain range, for which we raised over £900 for charity! While the 11-hour gruelling hike was extremely painful, it was an amazing day and one that I will never forget.

In fact, that is exactly how I would describe my time in China; an amazing experience that I will never forget!