Editor’s note

Welcome to Gen Z Weekly, our new column dedicated to showcasing the voices and experiences of Generation Z in Shenzhen and beyond. We’ve created this space to share authentic, youth-driven narratives that reflect the energy and perspectives of today’s young people. Through Gen Z Weekly, expect to hear directly from international students and Chinese youth about their campus lives, personal journeys, and thoughtful insights.

Chen Siqi

vankochensq@163.com

HAVING lived and worked in China for nearly a decade, Maria Korepanova has spent her time in Shanghai and Changsha on and off.

Now in her second year of a master’s program in business administration at the Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen) (HIT SZ), she has fallen in love with Shenzhen. Her view of the city as innovative, dynamic, and strong with tech capabilities has influenced her to pursue a career in Shenzhen after graduation.

Korepanova’s journey to China was unexpected. A decade ago, fresh out of a Russian law institute, she came to China on a whim with a friend. Initially, she enrolled in a short language course at Fudan University simply to learn a foreign language. However, as she grew more familiar with Chinese culture, she decided to stay and found work in Shanghai as a sales manager, exporting medical equipment to Russia.

Over the years, Korepanova has traveled extensively — visiting places including Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and some other Asian countries — but she always concluded that China was the best place to live and grow. “There are so many opportunities for young people to do business here,” she said.

Growing up in an open-minded environment, Korepanova developed an entrepreneurial spirit early on. Her father encouraged her to earn her own money, and at just 12 years old, she made her first income by cleaning floors at his office.

By middle school, she had already spotted business opportunities like capitalizing on her classmates’ obsession with the Spice Girls pop group. In the pre-digital era, she collected pictures and articles of the group and other celebrities, cutting them out and selling them to her peers.

Though she pursued a law degree, business remained her true passion. When she left Russia, she realized the world offered vast opportunities to fulfill her entrepreneurial dreams.

Her decision to pursue a master’s degree stemmed from her desire to keep up with an ever-evolving world. “Technology and analytical tools in economics are constantly advancing, and I want to stay updated,” she explained.

“I chose HIT to acquire new business tools and expand my professional network. Universities are unique ecosystems. Surrounded by creative students, classmates, and professors, you’re constantly exposed to fresh ideas,” Korepanova said. “There are so many business opportunities just waiting to be discovered in such an environment.”

As for why she picked HIT’s Shenzhen campus, she cited the city’s youthful energy and potential. “Shenzhen is young, vibrant, and a powerhouse in finance and technology. It’s a city built by ambitious young people with a different mindset — the average age here is around 30. The growth potential for young professionals is enormous.”

Looking ahead, Korepanova said she plans to stay in Shenzhen “because my heart is here.” She’s also documenting life in Shenzhen and China through photos and short videos on Instagram, sharing an authentic glimpse of the city she now calls home.