Editor's note:

Le Thi Hai Yen from Vietnam, an alumna of East China Normal University (ECNU), shares with us her stories about studying and working in China. She is currently the vice-general manager of Southeast Asia at Jiangsu Feiliks International Logistics Co.

Le Thi Hai Yen takes a photo with the gift given by East China Normal University to alumni at the university in Shanghai on March 27. [Photo provided to study.edu.sh.gov.cn/en]

I am Le Thi Hai Yen from Vietnam. Before I came to study in China, I was an undergraduate student at the Vietnam Academy of Journalism and Communication. My second language is Russian.

At that time, I didn't know Chinese, but my best friend from Hanoi Normal University strongly suggested that I take the online Chinese language courses at East China Normal University. Because of this, I started my journey in learning Chinese.

The teacher who taught me Chinese at the time happened to be a doctoral student at ECNU, and she told me that ECNU International Relations Department had just started to recruit international students that year.

When she asked me if I wanted to come to ECNU to pursue a master's degree, I thought it was a golden opportunity. As such, I tried hard to get into the university.

The three years I spent in China are important and meaningful years that have changed my life.

Since I majored in international relations, my classes were highly international in nature. In addition to domestic and US-based professors, I also got the chance to communicate with peers from more than a dozen countries. I really like this international atmosphere.

Le Thi Hai Yen and her classmates participate in a dragon dance performance in Shanghai. [Photo provided to study.edu.sh.gov.cn/en]

Apart from my academic life, I also participated in various activities such as a dragon parade and a Peking Opera performance at a cultural festival.

Active participation in the many activities that were organized has made me more open-minded and confident. If you want to get along better with other international students, you should take the initiative to talk to them and then understand their culture and customs. This has helped me greatly in my work, where I have to deal with South Korean, Japanese and Indian clients. I can put myself in their shoes and understand what they are trying to say.

I still remember the celebration of ECNU's 70th birthday. That was the year when the epidemic was rampant in Vietnam and many cities were under lockdown. I stood at the landmark of my hometown and sent my blessings to my alma mater with fear and trepidation. Looking back on this experience, the scenario is still vivid in my memory! Without receiving the love from my alma mater, ECNU, I probably would not have the courage to give my love back to her.

Every international student will be confronted with a dilemma when he or she graduates: to stay in China or to find a job back in the home country. Here are some tips.

First, if you're looking to stay, being proficient in Chinese and having a good understanding of Chinese culture is definitely an irreplaceable advantage.

Second, you need to know which domain you can excel in and what your strengths are.

Third, try to figure out which industry will be the most promising one between China and your country, then think about what you can do in this industry.

Last but not least, you might want to sharpen your critical thinking ability so that you can make independent judgments and decisions.

After my graduation from ECNU, I found that there were a plethora of job opportunities back in Vietnam because the economy was booming. As such, young people who had studied abroad were more popular among employers. Because of this, I returned to Vietnam and worked for a French international group for two years before making the switch to the company I am working for now.

To further grow the business, the company wanted to set up overseas branches, and I was approached because of my global experience. As time went by, I became more and more familiar with the business. I do believe that as long as you are willing to put in the effort, things will pay off. After about four years, I was placed in charge of the Southeast Asian market.

I am optimistic about China's future. Over the past two decades, all industries have witnessed rapid growth, and the Chinese economy has becoming increasingly sustainable. I am fortunate to be a witness and beneficiary of time, and I am grateful for all that I have gained at ECNU.

I am very much looking forward to sharing my work experience with my peers when we meet, and continuing the relationship with the amazing people at ECNU.