“China’s big manufacturing industry provides the basic foundation for my business and makes my dream come true,” said OGUZHAN ARSLAN, a 29-year-old Turkish young man who started his own business as an international trade agent in 2022 after he graduated with a master degree from Tianjin University in China’s northern port city, Tianjin.
“I serve as a bridge between the demands in international markets and China’s manufacturing industries and promote international trade exchanges.” OGUZHAN thought highly of China’s developed transportation network and extremely high manufacturing efficiency, which provide solid foundation for his business. He was also grateful to his study experience in China that prepared him with an open mind to the world and necessary knowledge and skills as an entrepreneur.
As his name indicates in Turkish, OGUZHAN ARSLAN looked very gentle and conservative at first glance, but as you get to know more about him, this young man impressed you more with his intellect and resolve, the intellect that guides him through many of his life choices and the resolve that keeps him staying true to his dream and pursuing it with all his might.
From a small town kid from Tokat in Turkey to a graduate student at Tianjin University and then to a novice entrepreneur in Tianjin, OGUZHAN is every step closer to his ambition of becoming a successful businessman he has cherished since he was a small kid.
Both of Oguzhan’s grandfathers ran grocery stores for a living when he was a kid. “Whenever I stayed at my grandparents’ home, I would hang around the store and lend a hand when needed.” For young Oguzhan, selling and buying things is not only exchange of goods and money, but exchange of happiness and friendship. “When the deal is done, you can feel the satisfaction and happiness of both sides. It brings a special sense of fulfillment. That’s when I decided to go for business as my life career.” The childhood experience sowed a seed in young Oguazhan’s heart and eventually nurtured into a big entrepreneur tree to blossom in China.
The path to one’s dream is rarely smooth, so is Oguzhan’s. He faced the first challenge from his father. “My father has always expected me to be a doctor. He thought it would be easy for me to find a job if I went to the medical school,” said Oguzhan. Inevitably, a fierce conflict between Oguzhan and his father broke out when they were deciding which major Oguzhan should apply for in college. “I held my ground and tried my best to convince him that I knew what I was doing and that to open my own business is what I really want.” With his mom’s support and two-week-long discussion and argument, Oguzhan’s father budged and let him choose to study business administration in college.
“Now my father is very content with what I have achieved,” Oguzhan laughed.
After he graduated from Boğaziçi Üniversitesi in Turkey, he decided to further his study in China. “China has been developing very fast these years and committed to share its development achievements with the world. So I think, by studying in China, we will have more job and life opportunities.” He contacted several universities and finally chose Tianjin University.
“The College of Management and Economics at Tianjin University has a very high reputation for its excellence.” Oguzhan faced several choices back then, but a talk with a TJU professor who later became his tutor helped him made up his mind.
“Before I went to Prof. Dou Runliang （窦润亮）, I have consulted several teachers from other universities. To be honest, I received some discouraging feedback about me studying for Master of Science. They thought it would be too hard for me to obtain the degree considering my Chinese language proficiency and the high demand on math. But Prof. Dou let me see the hope. He was candid about the possible difficulties I would face, but he assured me that with hard work, he believed I could achieve it.”
Prof. Dou’s words resonated with a life creed Oguzhan holds dear, “ I have always believed that if I do my best, I can succeed.” He proved himself with actions.
He had a hard time adjusting himself to the life and study at TJU. “Before I entered TJU, I learned Chinese for a year and a half. My Chinese proficiency sufficed for daily communications but definitely not enough for academic lectures and classes. For the first year, I could only understand 50% of the in-class content. To make up for the lost content, I would ask the teacher for the Chinese lecture notes, translate them into English sentence by sentence and study by my own.” Oguzhan partnered up with another international student as his tutor suggested and together they struggled to keep pace with the academic requirements. Oguzhan also found some online English courses as supplementary learning material. “I spent nearly 15 hours a day on study during the first semester.”
Efforts were rewarded. Oguzhan passed all the academic tests and obtained Tianjin Municipal Government Scholarship for two consecutive years. Three years’ pandemic didn’t slow down Oguzhan’s pace and he graduated on time with a master degree in June, 2022.
“My educational experience at TJU not only equipped me with necessary knowledge about entrepreneurship, but also endowed me with the opportunity to learn about Chinese people and Chinese society. My idea of starting a business became clearer and clearer as my graduation day approaching.” Oguzhan threw his heart and soul into his business right after graduation and made bigger plans as the business grows.
“I hope one day I can have my own business brand and extend my business from China to Turkey,” the young man said in a calm but resolute voice.
By Eva Yin
