— A Conversation with Yousra Chagor, International Faculty Member of the School of International Commerce

International Faculty Member Yousra Chagor

Yousra Chagor, a Moroccan faculty member at the School of International Commerce, is a versatile professional in marketing and sales with four years of B2B and B2C experience across fast‑moving consumer goods, luxury, telecommunications, and technology. She excels in project coordination, client consulting, and performance analysis. Joining Jilin International Studies University (JISU) in September 2025, she teaches courses such as Advertising Theory and Practice and Brand and Service Marketing Management. She speaks highly of JISU’s educational philosophy and actively integrates it into her teaching and research, helping students build confidence, hone professional skills, and develop a global outlook.

In a recent interview, Yousra shared her reflections and experiences of teaching at JISU.

JISU: An Inclusive, Friendly and Vibrant Community

I decided to come to China in September 2025 and join the School of International Commerce at JISU. Throughout the recruitment process, I found myself deeply aligned with the university’s values and educational vision, as well as the courses I would be teaching. I felt genuine joy at the prospect of passing on my knowledge to a new generation of students, and I recognized the profound mission behind this work. The fact that many students actively choose these courses, hoping to gain international perspectives and insights from Western academic systems, only reinforced my decision.

My first impression of JISU was extremely positive. In some ways, it reminded me of the university where I studied in Wuhan years ago, but I also sensed that JISU places even greater care and attention on students’ academic growth and personal development. The university’s strong international atmosphere particularly appealed to me—faculty members from around the world share their expertise and practical experience here. Through academic exchanges and mutual learning with colleagues, I truly felt that JISU is an inclusive, friendly and vibrant educational community, rich in intellectual inspiration.

Jilin: Open, Diverse and Scenically Beautiful

Since arriving in Changchun, I have enjoyed a very comfortable life here. The students are lovely and sincere, my colleagues are kind and modest, and the university and the School have given me tremendous support, which helped me quickly settle into the rhythm of life and enjoy both work and daily moments. Jilin has a unique regional character, with its ice and snow culture and winter sports renowned nationwide—the scenery is distinctive and beautiful.

At the same time, Jilin is open, inclusive and pluralistic, with strong international ties and close cultural and economic exchanges with countries like Russia and Germany. It is clear that Jilin Province is on a steady path of growth and development, with urban construction and the educational ecosystem showing vigorous momentum. Overall, my life experience in Jilin has been wonderful; I truly love Changchun and plan to visit the surrounding cities in my spare time.

JISU Always Puts Students First

Since joining the university, my overall experience has been excellent. Interacting with students has been immensely rewarding—I can clearly sense their strong thirst for knowledge and desire for self‑improvement.

I believe that the university’s philosophy of “All for students’ growth, excellence and success” is by no means just a slogan; it is tangibly implemented in daily operations. The university always puts students first, genuinely caring about their academic development, future careers and growth opportunities. The educational concept of “student‑centered, most responsible education” is deeply meaningful. The most visible manifestation is the university’s international vision, which broadens students’ global perspectives through international teaching, dual‑degree programs and other platforms. In my view, President Qin He’s vision of internationalization not only helps students thrive locally but also lays a solid foundation for them to step onto the world stage and pursue a global future.

I think some students may not yet fully appreciate the value of these opportunities—when you are in the midst of it, it is not always easy to grasp their deeper significance. But as they pursue further studies abroad or engage in international careers, they will surely look back and be grateful for the university’s thoughtful cultivation.

To truly fulfill its educational mission, JISU should continue to deepen teaching and research, provide all‑round support for students, strengthen international exchange and cooperation, and always place students’ growth at the heart of every decision. That is the right path forward.

Guiding Students to Learn with an International Perspective

I believe JISU has achieved remarkable results in teaching and international exchange. The university provides students with a high‑quality learning environment, bridging the world through doctoral‑level international faculty, international cooperation projects, cutting‑edge academic ideas and research outputs. On the research front, the university encourages faculty to enhance their research capabilities, supports them in publishing in authoritative journals, and offers platforms such as academic conferences for paper presentations. The research funding provided not only helps faculty build academic influence but also further elevates JISU’s research strength.

Compared with higher education abroad, the biggest difference lies in the fact that foreign universities—especially at the graduate level—place greater emphasis on practice‑oriented teaching, not limiting themselves to theoretical instruction. They closely align with the workplace and corporate realities, cultivating students’ ability to understand business logic and requiring them not only to grasp concepts but also to apply them in real‑world scenarios.

This is precisely the direction I have been pursuing in my teaching at JISU. In class, I share my overseas practical experience and introduce real research and business cases from companies I have collaborated with, helping students bridge the gap between theory and reality, deeply understand business operations, and prepare fully for their future careers.

For me, the greatest teaching achievement is guiding students to view business and marketing from a more pragmatic and international perspective.

A Meaningful and Rewarding Work‑Life at JISU

Both within the School of International Commerce and across the university, the faculty atmosphere and working environment are excellent. The university fosters a culture of mutual assistance, respect and academic rigour. All faculty members are not only dedicated to teaching but also committed to creating a dynamic academic space for students. My Chinese and international colleagues have been exceptionally warm and welcoming, making me feel at home from the very beginning. This positive work atmosphere allows us to focus more on teaching, academic exchange and shared growth.

When it comes to memorable people and moments, students are undoubtedly the most precious part of my teaching career. Many students have come to me to express their gratitude, saying they enjoy my teaching style—my classes are lively and easy to understand, with clear knowledge points, and they not only learn the course content well but also grasp the entire knowledge system. One moment I will always remember: a student told me, “Teacher, your course left a deep impression on me and was more rewarding than all the other courses I took last semester.” That statement moved me profoundly. For a teacher, having a course truly resonate with students is the highest recognition, and it also motivates me to keep improving.

I have also formed deep bonds with other international faculty members—we are not just colleagues but also close friends and family. This friendship adds warmth and meaning to my work and life at JISU.

JISU Students: Thoughtful and Capable

I hold JISU students in very high regard. I particularly appreciate the School’s elective system, which allows students to choose their own courses—this is especially valuable. Most of the students who opt for my electives are highly motivated, have a positive learning attitude, and are willing to actively engage with professional knowledge, which creates a wonderful classroom atmosphere.

JISU students have many shining qualities: they are humble and courteous, attentive and focused in class, diligent and earnest, and eager to learn. They listen carefully and participate actively, with a strong intrinsic drive for self‑improvement. Chinese students, in general, possess a remarkable sense of self‑discipline and responsibility; with proper guidance, they devote themselves wholeheartedly to their studies and strive for excellence.

I also teach international students, who are equally outstanding. They bring diverse perspectives and vibrant energy to the classroom, making the overall learning environment richer and more engaging. It is a great honour to teach such thoughtful and capable students at JISU.

As an international faculty member, I believe the key to cultivating students’ cross‑cultural communication skills is to create platforms where Chinese and international students study together. Through daily interaction, group work, and collaborative research, students can learn from each other academically and also achieve cultural integration and mutual understanding.

Of course, there may be initial challenges due to language barriers, lack of confidence, and differences in thinking patterns, but the long‑term benefits are profound. Such experiences help students broaden their minds, appreciate cultural diversity, and build confidence in cross‑cultural communication.

To truly promote international exchange and cooperation, theoretical learning alone is far from enough. Students need to engage in real conversations, in‑depth discussions and practical collaboration with peers from different cultural backgrounds. Through this process, they develop cultural respect, communication skills and an international mindset—building a solid foundation for their future engagement in China‑foreign cooperation.

Going All Out to Support Student Growth

Looking ahead, my plans are twofold: first, to remain true to my educational mission, continuously improve my teaching skills, and enhance students’ classroom learning experience; second, to deepen my expertise in my field and contribute to the university’s international education and practical teaching development, helping students connect theoretical knowledge with real‑world applications and paving the way for their further studies and career advancement.

I also hope the university will continue to strengthen its international orientation, practical training platforms, and strategic partnerships with enterprises and external institutions. These efforts are crucial for building a world‑renowned high‑level university. Today’s students need not only solid theoretical foundations but also hands‑on experience, a global vision and professional operational capabilities.

I have taken the initiative to establish the New Generation Business Club (NGBC), focusing on three areas—marketing, sales and finance—and using real corporate case studies for teaching practice. The club goes beyond theoretical instruction; students participate as junior consultants, designing creative proposals, conducting market research, customising development plans, and providing solutions for companies. This approach is extremely valuable for students’ professional growth and practical thinking, and it also strengthens their foundation for undergraduate studies.

Moving forward, I will continue to focus on classroom teaching and hands‑on projects like the NGBC, helping students boost their confidence, sharpen their professional skills, and cultivate an international perspective—doing my part to contribute to the university’s development.

Source: University Newspaper, Issue 588