Starting IB at 27 years old (Europe)

My story:
I’m French, lived in the US and China my whole childhood, but went to high school in Italy, which is typically one more year than other European high school programs. Right after, I went to do my Bachelor’s in the UK at a target school. As in most UK unis, this was a 4-year degree program. During that time, I had one 6-month internship at an IB boutique in Hong Kong. I’m 22 years old and I’m currently in the last year of my undergrad program. I just got accepted to a French target school (HEC Paris) for a 2-year master’s degree. For those who don’t know, most kids in these masters' do a gap year in between the two years and take two off-cycle internships of 6 months at large European or US IB banks (BNP, Goldman, etc). This is quite normal, especially in Paris and London. BB banks usually prefer those profiles (at least in Paris and London). You usually get a full-time offer during those, go back to school for the last year of the master’s and go back to the firm right after. I’m planning to start my career in IB in Paris or London for a few years.

The thing is I’m also planning to move to Hong Kong, Singapore, or Shanghai after around 3-5 years of experience in Europe. Why? Because it would be too hard to directly start in Asia as a foreigner and also I think I’d rather get my first years of experience in Europe (and leverage that). Basically, my life plan is to settle in one of these cities. To do so, I would need to speak perfect Mandarin. I already have a decent level, but very far from being fluent. So I was thinking to basically take another gap year in between my two years of Master’s degree to go to China and take intensive Mandarin classes for one year. After one year, I can expect to be fluent. Just so you guys understand better, I legit really like the language and honestly, I really see myself living there. I’m just so bored of Europe and the US in general.

So basically, I would do my first year of Master’s, then one year of intensive Chinese classes, one year of Internship, and my last year of Master’s (or a double degree somewhere else - maybe in Asia then). At the time of graduation, I would be 27 years old. Honestly, I’m having doubts about the whole thing. This is really something that I would want to do and I think I would have a background that could lead me far, but it’s also a kinda risky move (maybe not) as I’ll be 27 years old. I don’t know. Starting as a full-time IB analyst at 27….. what are your thoughts about that and my whole plan?

Thanks guys

 

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