Mohadeseh Barzegar Bafrouei, from Iran, is a Persian-language teacher with University of International Business and Economics, in Beijing. She began her undergraduate studies, in Business Chinese, at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) in 2011, and she obtained her Ph.D., in 2022, in Teaching Chinese to Speakers of Other Languages, from BLCU. 

Bafrouei and her husband, Mohammad Reza Lotfollahi Ghaffari, arrived in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province, in 2005, to study Chinese. Since 2010, the Iranian couple has been living in Beijing with their children. The family loves Chinese culture. Bafrouei and Ghaffari speak fluent Mandarin. They have helped advance cultural exchanges between China and Iran — both countries with great civilizations. 

When asked for her understanding of Chinese culture, Bafrouei says, "China has abundant folk customs, which closely connect with local culture and history. The customs reflect how Chinese highlight family and group values, and how they respect their own culture. Chinese are willing to share their customs with foreigners, and that helps promote their understanding of each other." 

She adds it is praiseworthy many cities in China have tourist service centers for foreigners, and that there are special shows of traditional Chinese arts during important events and festivals. 

Bafrouei is impressed by the high degree of gender equality in China. "Many Chinese women are capable in the workplace, and they are senior executives in their companies," she says. 

Their strong awareness of obeying rules is another impression Bafrouei has of Chinese. "In China, people keep quiet during public occasions, and they follow the traffic lights. This helps maintain social order, and it lays the foundation for civilized development of cities. I feel safe here," she says. 

When asked for her expectations of China's development, Bafrouei says, "If procedures for applications of visas and work/residence permits can be simplified, China will attract more foreign talents. Special legal consultation centers for foreigners will also help them learn about and adapt to local laws and regulations." 

Bafrouei expects China will implement more family friendly policies. "The reform of systems relevant to paid vacations and caring for children and the elderly will enable family members to better take care of one another. This will help create a harmonious social environment, which is favorable for China's sustainable development."

Photos from Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly October 2024)

Editor: Wang Shasha