East Asians in high finance - UK

I'm an international student from Asia in the US and will work in IB in the states. However, there is a chance I won't be able to stay in the US for long based on the visa restrictions.

I feel comfortable with the presence of Asians in the US both college and workplace. However, if my firm were to transfer me to UK after the visa expires, I would like to know what it's like to be East Asians working in IB in London. Are there a lot of Asians in high finance? Will my American accent be looked down upon? Thanks so much!

8 Comments
 

Hello.Can't speak for banking work environment. But we're very welcoming in the U.K. We tend not to like very loud Americans but people won't really care.

We have some big East Asian community's especially where I'm from. I wouldn't worry we're a friendly people. Tip for you, we get friendlier the further north you go from London. If you go past Edinburgh you've gone to north haha.

Hope this helps.

 

I’m currently a student I don’t work in London so I can’t speak for the London work environment but as we go our work culture is different to our out of work culture which is more relaxed.

I’ll contact my American friend. She came over for work. I’ve got a friend from Indonesia I can see what they think.

Moving to another country there going to be some cultural shocks. I can’t remember if you said that your company had an office in London , I’d try and reach out to someone working in London at the firm or similar firm.

 
Most Helpful

As an East Asian, my personal experience working in London for about two years was mostly positive so I think you’ll be fine.

Coming from the US tho, there will be a bit of a culture shock. Although East Asians are present in finance in London, we are still a distinct minority vs the proportion in the US. You’ll likely have more British and European colleagues overall, especially at the senior level.

On the flip side, a lot of the east Asians you’ll come across in the City will be internationals from Asia so that might be a pro or con for you. American accent overall should be a pro, especially if you’re looking to date but bear in my mind, East Asian men aren’t top candidates there unless it’s other East Asians (in my experience anyways).

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