In Parts I and II of my Spanish versus Mandarin posts we had some great discussions and debate (click here and here). This is also a good follow up to Steve Feng’s recent post and kind offer to lead getting some of you together to learn some Mandarin.

I just can’t seem to let a sleeping dog lie:

Per this Wall Street Journal article, “Mexico’s Case Study: Looking to China, and Away From It,” Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson was asked by a Mexican MBA student at Tsinghua University (an elite school in China) while Paulson was recently visiting Beijing, “How will countries like Mexico, who are still emerging markets, compete with this monster that is China?” Paulson replied to the effect of, “See China’s growth as an opportunity.”

I.e., look for ways to do business with these folks and no more whining about how China is kicking your butts.

Per this article, and as I alluded to in Parts I and II of this discussion thread, think of the professional opportunities here for those students armed with a Cal Poly MBA who speak English (as you all do), Spanish (some do) and Mandarin (??). In my view, with some more hard work, continued networking, talent (see/refer to my earlier post on skills needed for successful expats in China) and yes, a little luck along the way, the world would be your oyster if you spoke or took some time off to learn to speak all three languages reasonably well.

Ah, if only I were in my 20s again …