Lonely journey

After working in the internet industry for more than 12 years, where she ended up earning an annual salary of 240,000 yuan ($33,408), Zhong Dailin, 41, decided to pursue her dream of living and studying in Italy.

Zhong, who was born in Harbin, Heilongjiang province and worked in Beijing, felt the internet industry was declining after reaching its peak, as it faced fierce competition and dwindling revenue.

"I just wanted to understand the culture of a country, experience its sunrise, sunset and all four seasons. Studying in Italy appeared relatively straightforward, and the cost was acceptable. It was the best choice for me," Zhong said.

In early 2019, she began preparing for her overseas studies. Her first year was dedicated to language school, and she then pursued a master's in Communication Theory at the University of Florence.

However, the academic challenges were more demanding than she imagined. Zhong chose a program from the Literature and Philosophy Department, which helped her understand Western culture.

"When I face difficulties, there are people willing to help me. During my two to three years in Italy, I have learned enough Italian to get by in daily life, but academically, it's still tough," she said.

"The teachers are extremely nice and provide a lot of help in English. Everyone is assisting me, so I can't give up," said Zhong, whose graduation thesis defense requires a 10-minute presentation in Italian and writing a 100-page thesis.

As an undergraduate in 2002, she experienced the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. It seemed as if fate had repeated itself, as her studies abroad coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zhong could have graduated in October, but chose to postpone this for 12 months.

"At my age, obtaining this master's isn't about finding a better job. Studying abroad is an experience, even though it hasn't been as smooth as I imagined. Life presents challenges one after another, and they are never-ending," she said.

"After experiencing all this, I've become stronger, but it doesn't mean that everything will be plain sailing," said Zhong, who plans to travel extensively to explore and understand local culture after she graduates.

Later this year, she plans to start sending out resumes. Ideally, she wants to be based in Italy to provide services for clients in China, such as travel support, route planning for studying abroad, and even marketing services for luxury brands in Italy.

"Most people don't want to live a predictable life. Life should have many diverse experiences. You never know what interesting people and things await you. When I look back on my life, the experience of studying and living in Italy will be significant for me, as this has been a truly beautiful and unforgettable journey," Zhong said.

Yu Hai, a sociology professor at Fudan University, said:"People studying abroad for various reasons, whether it's to escape or to embrace the future, all have their own goals and plans. The ultimate decision-making power lies in their hands, and to make the best choice they need to consider the pros and cons based on their personal circumstances."