Adebelle Xifan Zhang

China Europe International Business School

“An introvert but no one believes. I’m always smiling and ready for new adventures!”

Hometown: Singapore (Singapore) and Chaozhou City (Guangdong Province in China). I was born in Chaozhou and bred in Singapore so to me they are both my hometowns.

Fun fact about yourself: I once exchanged passports with my twin and cleared customs successfully! (Back in the days when things were not so digitalized, oops.)

Undergraduate School and Degree: National University of Singapore, Bachelor of Arts

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Urban Revivo, Senior Content Marketer

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Align Technology, Shanghai, China

Where will you be working after graduation? Undecided

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• MBA2024 Student Ambassador President
• MBA2024 Student Leader Award Recipient – Nominated and voted by the student body
• CEIBS Diversity Scholarship Recipient
• Organized second-hand bazaar as part of the social impact week to promote sustainability. Funds collected were donated to Pad for Hope – a local NGO that helps village children get better education.
• Cheerleading team captain – led the team at the 2022 Sunny Cup Competition.
• Team C captain, 2023 Yasha Asia-Pacific Business School Desert Challenge – Led the team in a three-day desert challenge, ensuring the safety of all members while making sure everyone makes the required timing.
• Volunteered at TEDxCEIBS as a speaker coordinator.
• Hosted a Wechat livesteam on the school’s official account on “What is the value of work?”.
• Hosted the annual Taiwan Night – a cultural event with food and games to promote cultural understanding between China and Taiwan.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? It was leading the CEIBS cheerleading team at the annual Sunny Cup Competition – a major Shanghai MBA sports league. It may not have been a major academic accomplishment, but it was certainly an achievement I’m proud of. To be honest, starting a cheerleading team from scratch at a business school wasn’t easy!

Apart from not knowing one another, none of us (me included) had any prior experience. It took dedication, creativity, and a whole lot of team spirit. It involved collaborating on choreography and teaching routines to keeping everyone motivated and adapting to unforeseen circumstances (like when a teammate was locked down right before the competition). It was a constant challenge, especially it being a relatively long-term commitment competing with busy schedules.

However, seeing the flawless show we put on (despite the challenges) and coming in 6th place out of nearly 20 teams was exceptionally rewarding. We even brought our cheer to campus before final exams, generating incredible energy and receiving positive feedback. It may have been a “small thing” compared to other commitments, but the teamwork, resilience, and positive impact made it an achievement I’m truly proud of.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? The education entrepreneurship I ventured into from 2018 to 2021. At the age of 25, I took a bold step into unfamiliar territory – the Chinese market. It was a steep learning curve, requiring me to master everything from site renovations and team management to financial control and marketing while navigating a new business landscape. Building a company from scratch was no small feat, but the journey was immensely fulfilling. The most significant achievement was witnessing the positive impact we created – from knowing nothing about the Chinese education scene, we grew to a point where parents would seek our services specifically. While the two companies themselves are no longer operational, they were endeavors I poured my heart and soul into, and I’ll always be incredibly proud of them.

Why did you choose this business school? My entrepreneurial experience ignited a passion for diving deeper into the complexities of business, particularly within the ever-evolving Chinese landscape. The Chinese economy is a global powerhouse, and I knew I needed a strong foundation to navigate it effectively. However, a global perspective was equally important in today’s interconnected world, and my aspirations lean towards working in or building a global company. CEIBS stood out as the only school offering the best of both worlds with its focus on “China depth, global breadth”. Another factor that sealed the deal for me was the remarkable sense of community at CEIBS. Even as an applicant back then, I felt the strong bond and helpfulness radiating from every single person I interacted with. This, combined with the vast alumni network, made CEIBS the only choice for me.

Who was your favorite MBA professor? Picking just one favourite professor at CEIBS is tough, but Professor Byron Lee definitely left a lasting impression. I had the privilege of taking three very different courses with him: Business Ethics, Human Resource Management, and Negotiation. These aren’t always the flashiest subjects in an MBA program, but he has a knack for making them incredibly relevant. His classes were engaging, and his assignments were always thought-provoking, really driving home important lessons. He helped me see people relationships in a whole new light, which I think is crucial for success in any business field.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? If I really had to pick one, it’d be the Halloween celebration at the beginning of our MBA journey. It’s quite a massive celebration, with some batches even seeing costumed classmates throughout the day. My batch definitely got into the spirit with a group of us dressing up as Teletubbies and another as the Qing Dynasty royal family (We even changed our name cards to the respective character names!). This event was a fantastic way to break the ice with classmates from different sections, letting loose, and laughing together in our costumes. It’s a hilarious and heartwarming reflection of CEIBS’ “global breadth” – where cultures blend seamlessly to create something truly special.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? I would’ve reached out to CEIBS alumni more and especially at the earlier stages of my MBA journey. CEIBS offers an extremely collaborative environment even across programmes and batches, and people are generally friendly and generous towards one another. It would have been valuable to connect with more people during my MBA journey.

What is the biggest myth about your school?  We’re a sports school. I think this applies more to the EMBAs and alumni because of how they always come in first or second place in the Gobi Desert Challenge. For MBAs, it really depends on your class, but I’d say “work hard, play harder” probably describes the CEIBSers (regardless of programmes) best!

What surprised you the most about business school? Coming in, I honestly thought that the environment might be quite competitive. I never expected to always be able to find someone who could help with literally anything – whether it’s academics, finding a referral, learning a new skill, or even providing an answer to just about any random question. The diversity of backgrounds here at CEIBS is impressive, and everyone seems genuinely invested in helping each other succeed. I’m definitely surprised by the sense of community and collaboration here!

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I admire Alvina Li for her resilience, dedication, and intelligence. Her unwavering principles are evident in everything she does, both inside and outside the classroom. She is intellectually curious and always eager to learn. A dull discussion simply doesn’t exist when she’s around. If a class falls silent, you can always count on her to raise a thoughtful question and keep the conversation flowing. Her contributions are insightful, and she isn’t afraid to voice her opinions. This passion extends beyond academics – Alvina champions ESG issues, earning her the well-deserved nickname “the ESG person”. As president of the Social Impact and Responsibility Club, she spearheaded Social Impact Week, a series of events focused on sustainability. She also organized initiatives to ensure that we had more opportunities to engage in ESG conversations or take part in ESG activities. While consistently producing high-quality work, she also managed a long-distance relationship with her husband in Europe. Balancing the demanding program with such a personal commitment takes incredible strength. Alvina’s dedication to positive change, coupled with her intellectual curiosity, strong work ethic, and unwavering commitment to her personal life inspires me.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list? I’d like to start a business with focus on culture and sustainability, and on the broader level be the bridge between my two cultures in China and Singapore (and then the world).

What made Adebelle such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“I have taught Adebelle courses such as leadership journey and organizational behavior. From the very beginning of the MBA program, Adebelle has consistently impressed me with her positive energy, collaborative spirit, and exceptional leadership qualities.

She is a natural people person, fostering a warm and supportive environment both inside and outside the classroom. Her classmates highly respect her, and her infectious enthusiasm naturally uplifts those around her. Adebelle is always eager to contribute, actively sharing her thoughts about leadership and business experiences during class discussions. Her positive energy and valuable intellectual contributions in the class have enhanced MBA students’ learning experience within the classroom.

Beyond academics, Adebelle’s leadership shines brightly. As Student Ambassador President, she exemplified unwavering dedication to the team’s success. She leveraged various resources, provided constant support, and truly led by example. This commitment to collaboration extended to her roles as cheerleading team captain and Yasha team C captain, where she inspired her members to excel in competitions. Her efforts in fostering a supportive community were well-recognized, earning her the Student Leader Award.

Adebelle’s positive impact extends beyond our school walls. During her exchange program in London, she served as a great ambassador, reflecting positively on the school and its values. Adebelle’s exceptional interpersonal skills, unwavering commitment to her community, and genuine passion for learning make her an ideal candidate for the P&Q Recognition. I have no doubt she will continue to grow into a great business leader in the near future.”

Michelle Xue Zheng
Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour
Programme Co-Director of Leadership Development Programme
China Europe International Business School

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