Abdelquoddousse Kailil, a student from Morocco, is enrolled in the Chinese International Education program at Shanghai International Studies University. His passion for music recently took center stage when he performed as one of the foreign singers at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix.

Growing up in a traditional Arab family, Kailil's weekends were filled with road trips orchestrated by his father, who often played North African folk songs on his guitar. These melodic journeys ignited Kailil's early love for music. While studying Chinese at the Confucius Institute at University Hassan II of Casablanca, music became an invaluable tool for language acquisition.

Reflecting on his journey, Kailil shared, "That's when I learned my first Chinese song, Wang Feng's 'Beijing, Beijing', and even won a special prize in a Chinese singing competition. I always start by learning the song, and if it intrigues me, I dive into the lyrics' meanings, gradually expanding my Chinese vocabulary."

In 2019, during his second year of high school, Kailil had an opportunity to attend a summer camp at SISU as a scholarship student. Concurrently, he was invited to the finals of the Moroccan auditions for the famous Chinese music TV program The Voice of China. Torn between paths, a teacher at the Confucius Institute advised him to explore the world while young, assuring him that singing opportunities would abound in the future. Heeding this advice, Kailil chose the summer camp, which sowed the seeds of his passion for learning Chinese. This decision ultimately led him to pursue an undergraduate degree in Chinese International Education at SISU.

Kailil's musical prowess first gained recognition at the university's international student Chinese song competition, where he won the second prize by singing Wang Feng's "In the Rain". This achievement allowed him to connect with fellow music enthusiasts from around the globe. As he engages in diverse activities and explores the vibrant city of Shanghai, his social circle continues to expand. He firmly believes that true cultural understanding comes from personal experience rather than the media.

As he approaches graduation, Kailil is determined to remain in China, where he plans to pursue his dreams and foster cultural exchange between China and Morocco.

Source: Official WeChat account of SISU Office of International Student Affairs at "Study_in_SISU"