As a Zambian international student, I was fortunate to have spent valuable time studying International trade and Economics at the Central University of Finance and Economics under the school of International Trade and Economics. Looking back, I deeply feel that this experience has laid a solid foundation for my work and future career. I am honored to share with you my experience of studying abroad and its profound impact on my career.
After my graduation in 2021, I was fortunate enough to hold a position as a Chinese language translator at a Chinese owned furniture manufacturing company in Kitwe Zambia called “One World One Dream”. My main responsibilities here were to translate instructions and tasks given by the director to the rest of the employees, purchase materials need for production from suppliers in China as well as ensure that all documents needed by government officials were accurately translated to Chinese for the director. The impact of studying in China on my Chinese proficiency is mainly reflected in the following aspects. Firstly, during my undergraduate studies, I was in a class full of foreign students whose main common language was Chinese language, therefore, our main mode of communication was in Chinese. Other than that, I also had extensive exposure to academic Chinese in the classroom. This immersive language environment allowed me to be exposed to more Chinese in daily life and learning, strengthen my understanding and application of Chinese, and improve my listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities. This helped me improve my Chinese proficiency and cultivate my interest in Chinese. Secondly, I frequented the library which helped me engage in more communication and interaction with Chinese students. By communicating with people from different backgrounds, I improved my Chinese listening and speaking abilities and learned more about Chinese culture and society. lastly, due to China's abundant educational resources, I had access to Chinese language learning resources such as libraries, online resources, and language learning software. These rich resources helped me better learn and master Chinese. Overall, my experience studying in China helped me comprehensively improve my Chinese proficiency and further promote cultural and educational exchanges between China and Zambia.
My second Job in Zambia was Chinese translator at yet another Chinese company called Yasun Investment Ltd, after nearly one year of service, I was promoted to assistant general manager. Through hard work and determination, I worked my way to the top in a short space of time. The hard work that was instilled in me at the Central University of Finance and Economics, has been manifesting in my day to day life.
I am currently working as HR at Huawei Technologies Zambia CO Ltd, some of my duties include interviewing Chinese staff members and ensuring that the on boarding process is completed. Central University of Finance and Economics is a key financial institution in China, it has always been committed to cultivating international students with international backgrounds and excellent quality. I have gained an excellent experience from this school with a long history and rich cultural heritage.
The teachers of the School of International Trade not only have a rich academic research background, but also have rich practical experience, able to combine theory with practice, so that international students can truly understand the deep connotation of knowledge. At the same time, the college actively advocates teaching innovation and focuses on cultivating students' critical thinking, making international students more competitive in their future careers.
During my graduate studies at the School of International Trade and Economics at the Central University of Finance and Economics, I fully experienced the unique charm of Chinese education. The education system in China emphasizes the cultivation of students' innovative spirit and practical abilities, and the Central University of Finance and Economics, as a leading institution in the field of finance and economics in China, has adopted a unique notion and focuses on cultivating students' international background and cross-cultural communication abilities. During my study at the university, I had the privilege of studying and communicating with outstanding students from around the world, which opened a window for me to understand different countries and cultures. Due to encountering many people from different backgrounds and perspectives, I have been able to quickly improve my cross-cultural communication skills and learn how to view the world with an open mind, adapt quickly to an international work environment, and establish effective cooperative relationships with colleagues especially at my current Job where I am required to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds such as South Africa, India, Ethiopia, Egypt to mention but a few.
In my studies and life in China, I had the privilege of experiencing China's rapid development, which left a deep impression on me about this ancient and vibrant country. China's economic development is truly impressive, with cutting-edge technologies such as high-speed railways, mobile payments, and e-commerce demonstrating China's leading position in technological innovation. At the same time, China's traditional culture and historical heritage are also full of charm, such as traditional Chinese tea culture, Peking Opera, and Chinese painting, which all fascinate me. Not only that, but the diligence and wisdom of the Chinese people have also deeply moved me. Their efforts have driven the development of the entire country, the country literally developed in space of 40 years. Having gained an understanding of China's culture and values, I have strengthened my determination to maintain close ties with China in the future.
Overall, the days spent at the School of International Economics and Trade at the Central University of Finance and Economics have greatly shaped me into the person I am now that is full of determination and hard work. I firmly believe that it is the experiences and insights here that have shaped my career. In the future, I will continue to play the role of a bridge, fully promote cultural and educational exchanges between China and Zambia.
