More than ever, fragrances have no boundaries, and neither does the training of our employees. This is the case of one of our perfumers, Ana Ripoll. Shortly after joining Iberchem, we invited her to live in China for two years and work from our center in Guangzhou. Here’s her story:

Which word would best describe your experience in China?

“I guess it would be “challenge”. A good one, of course! I have always perceived Asia as an idyllic destination I wanted to explore.  That is why I signed up for this adventure, and I am so glad I did.  It has been an unforgettable experience.

On a personal level, it was quite something at first to face the immensity of Guangzhou: a new language, a new culture and so many new smells I couldn’t identify. Slowly but surely, I started getting used to the city, and Iberchem became like my second home. I made really good friends and, from time to time, I do miss my life over there. I will always remember this experience as unique and incomparable.”

Have you noticed any differences or similarities in fragrances between China and Spain?

“For a culture who tend to prefer neutral and natural flavors (very sweet or very salty food is usually not their favorite), it is quite interesting how much they seem to enjoy fragrances with strong floral notes or even woody notes, especially when it comes to personal care products. However, they’re not too keen on animalistic notes or those that are too sweet.”

You said that you have discovered new smells. Could you give us an example?

“Of course. The smell of durian or the one of tofu when it is fermenting. These two smells are quite striking at first.  I also became a huge fan of dim sum, a typical Cantonese snack. The smell of fresh dim sum is pure heaven.”

What impact do you think your experience had on your daily work?

“Working in China gave me the opportunity to better understand the structure and running of an international company such as Iberchem. It helped me to get a global vision of my work, defining my role, and value more each department. It all became clear how everything works well when all the pieces are in the right place.”

What is it that you will remember the most?

“I lived so many experiences that had a positive impact, both on personal and professional levels. To face such a different culture, adding the language barrier, somehow makes you wiser. I had to learn how to communicate and understand their way of seeing things. I will never forget my coworkers, the neighborhood where I lived and my Mandarin teacher Jade. It has been without a doubt one of the most moving chapters of my life.”