从2002年开始，同济大学国际文化交流学院招收汉语言(经贸方向)本科留学生，2006年7月首届本科生顺利毕业。今年是这些毕业生毕业10周年。为了纪念2006届毕业生毕业10周年, 学院组织2006届的亚瑟同学对班级同学进行了系列访谈。在访谈中同学们回顾了10年前自己在同济大学国际文化交流学院的学习生活，并讲述了毕业以后的发展和感悟。我们将陆续发布2006届同学的访谈录。
狄亚雅（Dissa Yaya）, 马里人，现在上海大学攻读博士学位
Q1: Back in 2002 we were part of the inaugural international BA in Business Chinese class of International School at Tongji University. It goes without saying that there have been immense changes in China and the world since then. As you are answering the questions please keep in mind we are very interested to hear about expectations vs reality at each stage of you academic and professional career and life in relation to China.
Do you remember your immediate first impressions after your arrived in Shanghai and the school - we know that some of the changes with most impact might be surprising - from food to the weather
A1：When I first arrived in Shanghai, it was very fascinating because what I was thinking about this city was very different from the ground reality. For the beginning I could only eat spicy chicken with peanuts called 宫保鸡丁 in Chinese. The temperature was very strange, it was too hot in summer and too cold in winter, and 2002 was my first time to see snow.
Q2: Tell us about your memories of the professors and classes.
A2: Most of the teachers were very nice as Liu Yuntong, Jin Yiping ,Ye Lifang etc. But there was one teacher who was teaching us speaking class; I think she liked Europeans than us, so I felt a little discrimination from her side. But I ignored it because I was very good in my studies. The class was also interesting because all the students were from different countries and cultures. So there was a diversified environment in the class.
Q3: Could you please list the top 5 things you learned from your Tongji classes - and share examples of how some of them might be still useful in your life or career now.
A3: The top 5 things I learned from my Tongji classes were, my Chinese pronunciation, the class allowed me to speak Chinese without accent. Secondly, 努力nǔ lì that means make great efforts, in Tongji I learned that everything you do, you have to make great efforts. Thirdly, I understood Chinese culture and Chinese civilization in a good way, fourth I know more about Chinese history and ancient people who marked China history and at last I learned more about geography and economy of China.
Q4: For many of us, being a part of the Tongji class was about being exposed to more than just Chinese culture - we had classmates from different countries and cultures we perhaps had not known much about prior - are there any examples or anecdotes of how this multinational/ multicultural environment was interesting or memorable to you?
A4: The multicultural environment was interesting and memorable for me, although we were from different continents, we learned many things from each other, we had the same dream, sometimes we cooked, went out or organized parties together.
Q5: What were some of the hurdles you had to overcome during your study and stay in Tongji - feel free to tell us both about objective and subjective ones.
A5: We were the first promotion of this major, so many things were not well prepared, the programs were not well defined, 10 years later, I think everything may be perfect now.
Q6: If I might take you back to your area of research and your graduation thesis - what were they and could you please comment on them - e.g. if you made predictions for future developments in a certain area, how accurate were they, if you discussed cultural, societal or business matters or practices, how have they evolved since 2006.
A6: Since 2006, I predicted that globalization is not so beneficial for the developing countries as Africans countries, till now it is same phenomena, for now is even worse than before.
The advances which have been made in communication, traveling, and information services in the last fifty years due to globalization is inevitable. Globalization itself is not wrong, but its propellers are, who are turning it to a death race where stronger players are more likely to survive and the weaker are the hapless participants. Free trade, the pillar of globalization had so many sweet dreams to poor countries, and has ended up in destroying people's own dreams.
Since the demand for raw materials has increased among many countries such as Africans countries, globalization has increased among many countries such as Africans countries, globalization has more disadvantages than benefits. One negative consequence is that natural resources are depleted at a faster rate; another drawback is the violation of human rights, as many countries can exploit human labor outsourced from developing countries.
Q7：What about your career post-graduation - what have you been doing since and how have you been using your degree and your affiliation to Tongji.
A7：After post-graduation, I was manager in a trading company in Shanghai, two years later I registered my own business company in Shanghai, one year later another company in Hong Kong. We export Chinese products to Africans countries and import Africans products to China, we are also dealing with some government projects (between China and Africans countries governments), we also provide consultancy services to Chinese companies regarding investment opportunities, visa services and all other relevant consultancy services. After Tongji I have studied in Australia and have got my master degree in economics and recently I am also doing my PhD in international economics at School of Economics, Shanghai University. I have already already published an article about the effectiveness of foreign aid in an American Journal. My other two research articles are under review by the editorial board of a UK based journal.
Q8: If you could give a piece of non-obvious advice to new students and recent graduates from our school, on both maximizing their time in Shanghai and maximizing career opportunities, what would that be? Also, both from your personal experience and general impressions what careers are the best fits after graduating from the program?
A8: What I can say to the new students is to 努力nǔ lì that means make great efforts, the object for you to come to China is to study, so be concentrated on studying and respect your teachers, supervisors and classmates and don’t miss the class if you are not sick.
Q9: How about opportunity in general for China experts nowadays? The Chinese government Q redefining "foreign talent" and entrepreneurship in recent months - any thoughts? What were some of the areas that perhaps were not as open to foreign talent as expected?
A9: I think it is a very good idea that the Chinese government is redefining "foreign talent" because most of our friends who study in others countries can get job easily in those countries or when they get back to home they can get jobs easily in the companies those belongs to the countries where the students studied. But it is not the same case for China. it is not as easy task to get job and if you go home Chinese companies don’t want you. They can only hire you as a translator, who is an unskilled worker. They don’t utilize your Master degree or PhD. So it is a huge problem.
Q10: Our major was a combination of language/ cultural and business classes - please discuss briefly how you think both of these areas have evolved in relation to China - how has the international significance of China evolved both through culture and language exchanges and in So its the world of business
A10: I think language, cultural and business are linked ,if you want to do a good business or any kind of good partnership with someone, you have to speak his language, understand his culture.