THINK LOCAL: ZEYNEP ASLAN
Turkish
“POSITIVE ATTITUDE”
Fund manager and former resident of Istanbul and London, Zeynep Aslan gives her insight into working and living in the Grand Duchy.
ZEYNEP ASLAN: look for Luxembourg’s hidden treasures
Interview: Aaron Grunwald — Photo: David Laurent/Wide
The director of the Türkisfund SICAV--a euro-denominated fund that primarily invests in Turkey--has lived in the Grand Duchy since transferring from Istanbul in 2007. The native of Ankara studied in London and worked briefly in New York City, before returning to Turkey to become a bond trader and then a fund manager.
The system here [is set up] in a way to make foreign people especially happy. It doesn’t matter where you’re coming from. As long as you are beneficial to the economy and you’re doing something for them, they do their best to help you. Yes, this is a kind of attitude you should return back, but this doesn’t happen everywhere in the world. AG: Are you a good language learner? ZA: When I moved to Luxembourg, it was just English that I knew. Well, my Turkish is perfect, that’s something! Actually there are a lot of people who cannot even speak their native language. Really speaking your native language correctly is really very important for being able to integrate other languages as well. [But] it doesn’t matter if people are speaking the same language... I think language is not the most important thing to be able to integrate in a culture, or to be able to understand other people. To some extent, yes, you have to learn that language, to show the people that you respect that country and the people. AG: What are some of the biggest differences you have seen in business culture between Luxembourg and Turkey? ZA: Turkish people have a great history and great confidence. But then they have this tendency to get offended very easily when there’s something going on. The most important thing is that nobody is personalising anything here. I am hav-
AG: What was the biggest surprise when you arrived? ZA: I never had any problems here, because I came here with really positive thoughts. I said [to myself], I will do the things that are expected. I was really taking everything positively. I didn’t personalise anything. If you really put in your best effort and work really hard, any place in the world will be OK. But Luxembourg is even easier if you have this kind of attitude. It’s all related to how you are taking things. AG: Have you had any integration challenges? ZA: The thing is, I really like [Luxembourgers]. My landlord really helped me, in a very positive way. When I had some problems about something, instead of complaining about those things, I did my best to find a better solution. And I did not just scream, “this is not working.” I asked for help in a very polite way, and they gave it. I don’t remember even once that my requests were declined.
ing a very, very fruitful run, because I just focus on results. AG: How is the funds industry different? ZA: Turkey in a way works like the American system. Everything is very, very quick in Turkey. People work nearly 24 hours, like really. If there is something that has to be finished on that day, it’s finished. AG: What amusing misconceptions have you heard about Luxembourg in Turkey? ZA: Turkish people have this tendency to say “Brussels” for “Luxembourg.” In Turkish, you write “Lükemburg” and “Brŭksel.” It involves a lot of the same letters. Every time I say “Lükemburg”, they say “Br ŭksel.” Everybody, really, does it, even my sister who is a medical doctor. AG: Would you prefer to live in a bigger town? ZA: I know what it means living in a big city. Even if you are really making huge amounts of money, it curbs your time. You will not have enough time to spend your money or you will not have enough money to spend. AG: What advice would you give to newcomers? ZA: Have a positive attitude, that’s the most important thing. Wherever you are, there are always some good things you can learn or take from that environment. I say, benefit from this environment the best you can. There are a lot of hidden treasures in Luxembourg.
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31.03.2011 12:38:39 Uhr