Thomas Ochensberger (SINGAPORE Chapter)
For Thomas Ochensberger, head of the SINGAPORE chapter, the path from Graz to the world went via Nottingham (Erasmus exchange studies), London (first job) and Hong Kong (relocation). After that came Singapore.
"Relocating to Hong Kong was a very good way to move to the region - my wife, whom I met during the semester abroad in Nottingham, is from China. The move to Singapore came about through our work and is a popular trek for young families, as Singapore is much more child-friendly than Hong Kong," says Ochensberger.
The Styrian studied economics in Graz and is Head of Compliance Asia Pacific at M&G plc. A special station in his professional life was his very first job, which he started in 2008 at Lehman Brothers in London. "I experienced the global financial crisis and the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers firsthand. That was a formative experience. The asset management business I was responsible for has continued, but many of my department colleagues in the compliance area had to look for a new job."
Thomas Ochensberger feels at home in Singapore. "Singapore is a very international city. Working is not so different from Hong Kong or London, but the opportunities for leisure activities are much better in Singapore. Singapore is a melting pot of cultures and nationalities, which - much to my delight - is also reflected in the culinary arts." For all students, Ochensberger has a very simple piece of advice: "Try it out! Whether that's in your personal life, professionally, in your studies, whatever: If you don't try anything, opportunities don't arise."
My travel tip
"The Wild West of Singapore. The area around Lim Chu Kang and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, including crocodiles, where there are still real farms and lots of nature and no skyscrapers far and wide in sight."