China Studies in Practice: Education as calling, Building Trust & Cultural Mediation | Jelena Fu, MA

Описание: In this episode of Conversations on Sinology, presented by the Montenegrin Sinology Development Council, host Jelena Stjepčević sits down with a long-time colleague and friend, Serbian sinologist Jelena Fu, for an in-depth conversation on language, education, and intercultural leadership.

The two first met in 1996 at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Philology, when choosing to study Chinese was still considered unconventional. Nearly three decades later, Jelena Fu reflects on a life and career shaped by that decision.

After earning her master’s degree in Chinese studies, Jelena spent over twenty years in Shanghai, working across consulting, trade, corporate training, and international education. She coordinated English language programs in kindergartens and high schools, designed curricula, trained educators, and led multicultural teams in complex institutional environments. Her work spanned business interpretation in finance and accounting, intercultural mediation, and educational leadership.

In this episode, we explore:

Early motivations for choosing Chinese language and culture
Academic knowledge versus lived experience in China-
The realities and responsibilities of professional interpretation
Leadership, integrity, and building trust in Chinese educational settings
Curriculum design, positive psychology, and classroom innovation
Teaching emotional regulation and growth mindset to young learners
The transition from teaching English in China to teaching Serbian to Chinese learners

Now back in Serbia, Jelena is the founder of Dea - Edu Educational Center, where she teaches Serbian language and culture to Chinese students and professionals. She shares insights into the linguistic and cognitive challenges Chinese learners face when studying Serbian — from grammatical cases and verb conjugation to pronunciation and phonological adaptation.

The conversation also highlights a recent bilingual language exchange event organized in cooperation with the Chinese Cultural Center in Belgrade, bringing together Serbian and Chinese participants in a vibrant intercultural dialogue.

This episode offers valuable perspectives for:

Students of Chinese studies and future sinologists
Language educators and curriculum designers
Interpreters and intercultural professionals
Anyone navigating life between linguistic and cultural systems


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