——A Conversation with Diego, Foreign Faculty Member of the Spanish Program

Diego in class

Dr. Diego, a Spanish faculty member in the Spanish Program at the School of Western European Studies, joined JISU in 2024, primarily teaching courses such as “Spanish Listening and Speaking Training.” Driven by his passion for education and his high regard for Jilin International Studies University, he came to teach at JISU and has actively leveraged his teaching and academic resources to expand the university’s international exchange efforts, facilitating communication and collaboration between the university and international educational institutions and scholars, thereby making outstanding contributions to advancing the university’s internationalization. Recently, Diego shared his experiences and reflections on teaching at JISU.

“Attracted by JISU’s Educational Philosophy”

As a young doctoral graduate, my decision to come to China, and specifically to Jilin Province, stems from my confidence in China’s education system and its growing international reputation and influence. Among China’s many universities, Jilin International Studies University particularly appealed to me with its global outlook, emphasis on holistic student development, and vibrant academic atmosphere.

Before arriving, I understood JISU to be a well-organized university full of enthusiasm for education, attracting students from various countries to study and advance themselves in its multicultural environment. The respect for education, the harmonious atmosphere, and especially the adherence to the educational philosophy of “student-centered, most responsible education,” which emphasizes cultivating students’ humanistic qualities and comprehensive competence, all deeply attracted me to come and work at this university.

“Jilin Province High Value on Quality Education”

After arriving in Changchun, Jilin, I could feel it is a tranquil, safe city with excellent working and living conditions. Jilin Province possesses tremendous potential, with steady economic development. Its openness to the outside world is continuously expanding in breadth and depth through academic cooperation and international exchange, with particular emphasis on the high-quality development of education—all of which has made me increasingly fond of working and living here.

“Respecting Students and Learning Through Teaching”

In May 2024, I came to JISU with great enthusiasm, hoping to contribute to students’ academic learning and personal growth. Since joining, I have felt the vibrancy here and the commitment to students’ holistic development.

I believe that education should be built upon mutual respect, open communication, and the cultivation of a positive atmosphere, jointly constructed by teachers and students, while steadfastly upholding core values. Every student is a new story. It is important to be a good student, but it is even more important to be a good person; as teachers, we have much to learn from our students. This is what is meant by “teaching and learning enrich each other.”

“Foreign Faculty Should Serve as Bridges for International Exchange”

As a foreign language university, JISU’s initiatives and achievements in teaching, research, and international exchange are truly outstanding. The university places high importance on internationalization because it helps broaden students’ horizons.

In my view, international exchange is reflected in cooperative programs, academic mobility, mirror courses, and collaboration among faculty from different countries—all of which directly contribute to cultivating students’ cross-cultural competence. Foreign faculty, in particular, should serve as bridges for international exchange.

Since joining JISU, I have actively participated in joint academic activities, promoted collaboration between the university and international faculty, and dedicated myself to fostering an open and cooperative international atmosphere. I believe that teamwork is essential—it not only produces fruitful exchange outcomes but also enriches the entire process with humanistic care.

“JISU Faculty and Students Possess Excellent Qualities”

The faculty at JISU are highly professional, dedicated, and collaborative. When choosing my workplace, the working atmosphere is what I value most—because it is built on communication, respect, and cooperation—which is why I chose to come to JISU. Here, I have had the privilege of meeting many conscientious colleagues and sharing inspiring experiences with them. The consistent team spirit has made every day at work more positive and meaningful.

JISU students are responsible, mutually respectful, and striving for progress. They have a very positive attitude toward learning, strong adaptability, and a growing interest in international affairs. This is, to some extent, attributable to JISU’s educational philosophy of “Learn foreign languages well, be a worthy Chinese, and tell China’s story well.” Under the university’s cultivation and cultural influence, students not only value academic excellence but also place great emphasis on value formation and comprehensive competence development.

“Enabling Students to Become Bridges of Friendship Between China and the World”

As a foreign teacher, our responsibility is to show students that language, culture, and ways of thinking are inseparable, and that it is crucial to cultivate students’ critical thinking and respectful attitudes toward other cultures. This can be achieved through practical activities, debates, real-life situational interactions, and exchanges of cultural experiences. I believe that with our continued efforts, students will be able to build bridges for cultural exchange between China and the world, and bridges of friendship between the people of China and other nations.

Going forward, I will continue to dedicate myself to teaching, supporting students’ academic and scholarly development, and strengthening international cooperation to help JISU make sustained progress in internationalization, educational innovation, and research capacity enhancement—thus contributing to consolidating JISU’s standing as a globally recognized institution of higher learning. I firmly believe that through teamwork, we can not only achieve better results but also create a more positive and fulfilling environment for everyone.

Source: University Newspaper, Issue 581