To deepen integration between industry and education, and help international students from South Africa majoring in International Economics and Trade gain real workplace exposure and clarify their career paths, our school, together with the School of International Business organized student participation in the China-Africa Business Demand Matching Meeting on May 14, 2026. At the event, the students engaged in face-to-face exchanges with enterprise representatives from automotive industry, healthcare, industrial manufacturing, cross-border trade and supply chain sectors, gaining their first immersive workplace experience.
Learning from Enterprises and Bridging the Knowledge Gap
Prior to the event, most students said that their understanding of the International Economics and Trade major had largely remained at the level of textbook theory, with little firsthand knowledge of day-to-day business operations, job requirements, or industry developments. Through enterprise presentations and interactive exchanges, the matching event enabled students to step beyond the classroom and get up close to the industry frontlines. Drawing on their own business experience, enterprise representatives introduced their product portfolios for African markets, operational models, and talent needs. Through real-world cases, the students gained a clear insight into how academic knowledge is applied to international business scenarios, and a deeper understanding of the gap between theory and practice. As one student shared in reflection: “The gap between theory and practice is bigger than I expected, and I realize I need to go beyond class to stay relevant.”
Fostering Growth and Clarifying Career Directions
During the exchanges, students gradually moved from nervousness and reserve to asking questions proactively, engaging in discussions on internship opportunities, job requirements, market expansion, and cross-border e-commerce operations. Many said that they had come to realize that China-Africa cooperation is far closer and more extensive than they had imagined. As international students, they are not only learners, but also important bridges connecting Chinese and African markets. Enterprises are looking not only for translators, but also for versatile talents who understand African markets and possess skills in cross-border e-commerce, supply chain management, and cross-cultural communication.
Starting from Experience and Moving Toward the Future
After the meeting, students reflected seriously on what they had learned and expressed strong expectations and plans for the future. They noted that the experience cleared up their confusion about the workplace and helped them realize that career growth requires not only classroom learning, but also the initiative to strengthen their overall abilities. In the future, they plan to focus on developing practical skills, actively participating in internships and accumulating practical experience to steadily enhance their competitiveness.
This China-Africa business demand matching event has not only provided international students from South Africa majoring in International Economics and Trade with a platform for face-to-face communication with enterprises, but also planted the seeds of career planning in their minds. Moving forward, the school will continue to organize similar workplace experience activities, connect with more high-quality enterprise resources, and offer more practical opportunities for international students. In this way, it aims to help them grow into high-caliber talents with a global vision and the ability to meet the needs of cross-border industries, and to find their place in the growing momentum of China-Africa friendship and cooperation.
