Working in international companies has given me access to many places I would not normally have seen. I have been in Siberia, watched eucalyptus tree harvesting in Brazil and rented the Negresco in Nice for a company event.

An especially significant memory is from China. In 2009, after the devastating earthquake a year before, Metso and the Chinese Red Cross co-operated to build a new school building in the city of Yiaying in Sichuan. I had the opportunity to represent Metso at the inauguration event.

When we arrived at the premises with other Metso representatives and some Chinese journalist, the youngest students of the school greeted us with songs and flowers. At the inauguration event I was seated in a giant armchair on a podium together with the top city officials - I had to be really alert to catch my name during the Chinese introductions so that I knew when to bow to the audience.

After the event we toured the school building and I was, for example, interviewed for the local television station. A group of local people had gathered outside the school gates to see us "long-nosed" Finns and to take pictures of us. Afterwards I have said that this day was "My Madonna moment" - a day as a celebrity.

• Unesco Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area
• Wikipedia Leshan Giant Buddha