Mar. 18—Northwestern alum Bill Hall ’10 recently worked in Hong Kong for the North Dakota Trade Office (NDTO), serving as the Chinese Representative for a statewide trade mission to China. Hall‘s role was to be a liaison between the Chinese and North Dakota's key companies and exporters. As this liaison, he worked to find and develop beneficial relationships and opportunities that to improve the state's exports.

“I have been incredibly blessed to have this opportunity,” said Hall. “I have fallen in love with China, and am thankful for the years I had at Northwestern to develop this love and dream. Through my Chinese class with Professor Hongna Bystrom and the mentoring Professor Chuck Kuivinen provided, I was both challenged and equipped to pursue my dreams in China.

“I believe that having staff and faculty that support and encourage you makes all the difference. I am truly grateful for the support the Northwestern program has given me.”

North Dakota is targeting long-lasting partnerships and relationships with the Chinese people. This will ultimately drive the state's exports and boost the local economy. The trade mission was a good success with much traction in the energy, education, and import/export realm for the state's commodities.

“China, and Hong Kong for that matter, certainly is a different world than Roseville, Minnesota, or even the USA in general,” said Hall. “When you see 1.4 billion people all working so hard for opportunity and advancement, you feel a deep challenge to give more and see these two nations become better friends."

Hall greatly appreciates the work of the NDTO— that they are established and successful and are interested in pursuing the US-Chinese relationship moving forward.

“It is insanely challenging at times, yet I feel God has opened doors and blessed me with the opportunity to give myself to a cause I believe in. Of course, all of this is in a different world where people speak a different language,” said Hall. “Yet, we all continue to learn, and of course, this education began at Northwestern through teaching and challenges to explore a new world.”

Hall is now working with a private equity group that specifically focuses on US-China collaboration. He has been able to maintain an independent contractor role with the Trade Office and still endorse the state for further engagement and opportunities with China.

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