Most students don’t need to go much further than their nearest city for a work placement, but Shona McLean, 22, needed a passport to reach hers.

Shona, who is studying towards a BSc (Hons) Estate Management degree at Northumbria University, has just returned from a nine-week internship in Beijing as part of the China Exchange Programme. She was one of just two students chosen from dozens nationwide by the scheme’s organisers – RICS and CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) – to join the Beijing office of CBRE.

While there, Shona was tasked with putting together a report that compared and contrasted the Chinese and UK retail sector.

She says: “Being in such a different culture and so far away from home was scary but I believe I have grown from the experience. It was definitely a confidence builder.

“The people I worked with were very hardworking and helpful. I went out into various retail sites as part of my research and learned a lot about the way they do things.

“Overall, the experience was really positive.”

Now back in Newcastle, Shona is undertaking a placement year at an independent practice of chartered surveyors and property consultants, and CBRE has offered her an interview to join their two-year graduate scheme upon completion of her degree.

Chris Brooke, President and CEO of CB Richard Ellis in Asia, says: “The work placement programme is an excellent way for students to gain an understanding of working for an international company in an emerging market, as well as to develop an understanding of Chinese business culture, something which I personally believe will be very important in future years.”

For further information, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk or www.cbre.co.uk