June 2025: Marc Hering is an associate in our Private Equity team in Frankfurt. He tells us about his six-month trainee stage in Hong Kong. Read on to find out what he gained from his overseas experience and how he adapted to live in his adopted city.
What's most exciting about working overseas?
I was most excited about living in a different country, meeting new people, and discovering something new, offering a completely new perspective both personally and professionally.
What were your first impressions of Hong Kong?
Initially, Hong Kong was overwhelming. Having never visited before, the scale and grandeur of the city were overpowering. En route from the airport, the urban landscape felt like a concrete jungle with something new to explore around every corner. Not being used to the size and magnitude of the city, it took some getting used to.
Soon, I felt a sense of belonging and resonance with the local culture and international character. Hong Kong is a beautifully crowded city with a vibrant melting pot of people and cultures, filled with endless experiences and places to explore. It's an international hub where people from all over the world work and live together. The contrast between the modern cityscape and the surrounding rural landscape, filled with nature, beautiful hikes, and astonishing views, is remarkable.
How would you describe the workplace culture in Hong Kong?
I wasn't sure how the working environment would compare due to cultural differences, but I was eager to embrace any new challenges and adapt to them. I was pleasantly surprised to find that White & Case's working culture is truly global. Despite a few local differences, the Firm's values were universally embraced, making the transition seamless.
I was welcomed in a professional, inclusive, and respectful manner, and joined a collaborative and fun team. The workplace culture was open, embracing, and highly synergetic.
What intercultural or 'soft skills' did this secondment help you build?
My time in Hong Kong pushed me outside my comfort zone and taught me to quickly adapt to new people and cultures. It significantly influenced my cultural intelligence as well as personal and professional adaptability, both personally and professionally. I gained insight into international business transactions involving dynamic cultures, enhancing my ability to navigate complex global landscapes.
My time abroad highlighted the importance of fostering international relationships and recognizing diversity as a strength. I developed cultural sensitivity, adaptability, and the ability to navigate cross-cultural dynamics effectively—attributes invaluable in today's interconnected world.
Tell us a couple of personal/professional highlights of your time in Hong Kong?
There were just so many, ranging from embracing the vibrant cultural and social lifestyle of the city, seeing new places to trying various cuisines and experiencing a different way of life. Exploring the city and its surrounding islands, and traveling to other cities around Asia, meeting new people and making friends along the way were all spectacular.
On a professional level, observing and participating in cross-border and cross-cultural transactions and negotiations was fascinating. I learned a great deal from my colleagues, appreciating their insights, experiences and perspectives on law and business dealings.
How has this experience changed your idea of what working in an international Firm means?
The experience confirmed what working in an international law firm should be like. The adjustment period when transitioning to Hong Kong was remarkably smooth. Despite being unfamiliar territory, it felt comfortable from the outset. White & Case shares the same ideas and values globally, facilitating collaboration and effective work with any colleague worldwide.
Has this experience confirmed or changed your professional ambitions?
This experience confirmed my interest in Private Equity and in working internationally with clients from different jurisdictions and cultures. Engaging with colleagues with diverse backgrounds and perspectives was enjoyable and rewarding. Working for an international law firm on a global scale for me offers a unique opportunity to fulfil my professional ambitions and engage in rewarding work with clients across borders.
How do you think the overseas secondment has helped your personal development?
My time abroad was a unique experience that offered a novel perspective and helped me grow both professionally and personally. It cultivated my understanding of cultural dynamics and highlighted the importance of a united global approach when providing services for clients internationally. Although relocating to a new country on your own can be daunting, I encourage anyone to take the initiative and seize such opportunities. As Mark Twain said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did.".
