Taking the course construction of "Basic Principles of Steel Structure" for overseas students in Huaqiao University as an example, this paper discusses the experience of the first-class course construction of overseas students in Huaqiao University. Four aspects were explored and practiced in teaching reform, including integrating curriculum ideological and political thinking, optimizing teaching design, enriching teaching resources and strengthening process management. The aim was to train modern civil engineers to meet the needs of future engineering construction and regional economic construction. The whole results could provide reference for education and teaching of overseas college students.