Crossing More Than a City —
A Turning Point in Life
At 26, Hanain Ahmed comes from Karachi, Pakistan. After completing his undergraduate studies in Beijing, he moved to Shanghai to pursue his master’s degree. For his family, the decision was practical and strategic — their textile business has strong ties to the Yangtze River Delta, and Shanghai represents broader commercial opportunities. But for Hanain Ahmed himself, the move meant more than supporting a family enterprise; it was also a search for his own direction.
He loves photography. He enjoys capturing people immersed in their own worlds — a proposal moment at the Bund, an elderly painter confidently presenting his artwork in Guilin Park, a woman walking beneath tree shadows on Nanjing West Road. He avoids staged smiles and instead focuses on mood and presence. To him, understanding a city is not only about understanding its business structure, but also about understanding its people.
Karachi and Shanghai differ in rhythm and scale, yet both are vibrant commercial hubs. What sets Shanghai apart, in his view, is its openness, modernity, and global connectivity. He often says, “If you work hard enough, Shanghai gives you a fair opportunity.” It is both an observation and a personal commitment.
A New Year Turning Point — From “Studying” to “Building”
As the new year began, Hanain Ahmed found himself thinking more clearly about the future. He realized that relying solely on family resources would not be enough. To truly establish himself in China, he needed capabilities, networks, and a deeper understanding of the local market. This realization led him to choose the Asia-Europe Business School.
At the school, he experienced a learning environment different from his past education. Classes extend beyond theory, emphasizing practical exposure and real business contexts. Company visits, case discussions, and cross-cultural exchanges are part of everyday learning. His classmates come from Bulgaria, Morocco, Israel, Italy, France, Russia, and beyond. Through these interactions, he continuously adjusts his perspective.
He gradually came to understand that before doing business, one must first understand people — and understanding people requires engaging with diverse cultures and viewpoints.
What he values most is the school’s career-oriented approach and practical atmosphere. Education here is not simply about earning a degree; it is about building a path for the next five years. For an international student hoping to start a business in Shanghai, this environment provides not only knowledge, but confidence.
Building His Own Track in Uncertainty
Hanain Ahmed does not avoid reality. He understands that the job market in China is highly competitive, and for international students the challenges can be even greater. Yet he believes opportunities are not something to wait for, but something to create.
He has been improving his Chinese, expanding his local business network, taking on commercial photography projects, and exploring how to combine photography with digital marketing. His long-term goal is to establish his own content and advertising company in Shanghai.
His ambition is not exaggerated, but it is clear: create differentiated content, build trust, and gradually develop his own brand and network. He knows that true growth does not come from short-term bursts, but from steady accumulation.
For him, the new year is not merely a change of calendar — it is a conscious decision. A decision to stay in Shanghai. A decision to continue learning. A decision to carve out his own path amid uncertainty.
At the Asia-Europe Business School, what we see is not just the story of one international student. It reflects a broader choice made by young people in a globalized era: to find positioning within mobility, to build capabilities at the intersection of cultures, and to move forward with clarity in times of change.
For Hanain Ahmed, Shanghai is not the destination, AEBS is not the destination — it is the starting point of a longer journey ahead.
讯吧！