appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Alice Yan

A 35-year-old man in China who graduated from the prestigious Tsinghua University a decade ago, sat the gruelling university entrance exam again this year, hoping to realise his long-held dream of studying medicine.
The exam, known as gaokao on the mainland, is widely regarded as the most important test in the country for making or breaking a young person’s future.
However, there is no age limit for the applying to take the test, as long as the person has documents to prove he has completed a secondary education.
Li Long, a native of Heilongjiang province in the northeastern part of the country, was admitted to the School of Science at Tsinghua University in 2008, reported Jiupai News.
Even though his scores were high enough to be enrolled, he decided not to pursue medicine as a career then because his parents were so poor they needed him to earn money straight away.
The studying would have taken about 10 years, during which time it would be virtually impossible to have an income.

Instead, Li began working at the university as a private tutor for young students, and after graduation in 2012, he became a full-time teacher at after-class academic tutoring institutions.
He said that, before the summer of 2021 when the authorities cracked down on the private tutoring sector in an attempt to ease the pressure on students, the industry was booming and lucrative.
His high income enabled him to buy three flats in Beijing and Harbin.
But Li said he never stopped wishing he could study medicine, especially after some of his students were successfully admitted to medical universities.
“How envious I am of them,” he said.
At the beginning of this year, Li started to take practical steps towards realising his dream by preparing for gaokao.
“Many people think, at the age of 35, it’s impossible to make any big changes. But I know I can start a new life at this age,” said Li.
The full mark for gaokao is 750. Li achieved a score of 695 last time he took the test in 2008. He said he was confident he could make at least 650 this year.
After Li’s story was reported by the media and viewed 120 million times on Weibo alone, there was speculation that his announcement was merely a bid for internet fame.
“Time tells everything. No one will use all these years of study medicine just for the online traffic,” he said.
Some online observers also accused him of wasting public resources that should be reserved for young people or those who had never sat the exam.

Li had already considered those points and said that they played on his conscience.
“A big problem bothering me is that since there are limited admission quotas, I will snatch chances from young students,” he said.
“I have been trying to think of a better solution to realise my dream that does not affect others.”
Li said he is aware he might not find a good job when he graduates from medical school in his mid-40s.
“Even if my decision is wrong, it will not pose much of a loss for me. But just carrying on making money for the next 10 years will not make me happy,” he said.


Chinese son kowtows to adoptive mum, thanking her for funding medical bills by driving cabs

63kg Chinese man believes online products could help with weight gain loses 6.5kg instead

Discovery of ancient Chinese anaesthesia reveals advanced early surgical practices

Chinese woman reunites with family 22 years after running away over broken shower gel bottle

Trending in China

Teacher from top China university retakes key exam aged 35, accused of depriving young

A older man who teaches at a top university in China has been slammed for re-taking a key national exam so he can pursue his dream of studying medicine. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo

Li was unable to pursue his dream when he was younger because his family needed him to earn. Photo: Weibo

The 35-year-old understands his critics but insists he must stick with his decision. Photo: Weibo

Trending ‘rage rituals’ on TikTok see women pay to scream, smash sticks in woods

Growing numbers of women around the world are paying to take part in so-called rage rituals to boost their mental health. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Women who attend the rituals scream, cry, and beat sticks on the ground outdoors. Photo: Shutterstock

Experts say that women who display outbursts of anger are demonised by society. Photo: Shutterstock

China fans impressed by Beijing accent of South Korean actress Kim Go-eun

Award-winning South Korean actress Kim Go-eun has impressed her army of fans in China with her authentic Beijing-accented Mandarin. Photo: SCMP composite/Instagram

Kim Go-eun’s intuitive acting skills have seen her scoop an array of film industry awards. Photo: Weixin

Kim has shown the ability to embrace different roles and has refused to be typecast. Photo: Weixin

Former South Korean flight attendant loses part of skull in fall, inspires with desire to conquer speech disorder

A former South Korean flight attendant who lost part of her skull as the result of a fall in the street has impressed people on social media with her battle to cope with the consequences. Photo: SCMP composite/YouTube

The horrific results of Woo’s fall in the street have left her struggling with simple words. Photo: YouTube

The former flight attendant worked for South Korea’s national carrier for almost a decade. Photo: Shutterstock

From food truck to launching 4 eateries in Paris, China man introduces knife-cut noodles, enchants palates of diners worldwide

From a food truck to four restaurants in Paris, Guo Zhanglong, from Shandong province in eastern China, introduces knife-cut noodles, enchanting diners worldwide. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Baidu/Douyin


In the summer of 2022, Guo operated a food truck at various fairs throughout Paris. Photo: Baidu

Guo launched his inaugural Kung Fu Pate Restaurant in the heart of Paris in October last year, and the venture proved prosperous, leading him to establish three additional ones bearing the same brand. Photo: Baidu

China kung fu girl group  praised by Chinese diplomat for martial arts routine with modern twist

Since its launch in May, an all-female martial arts group in China has captivated audiences and garnered widespread attention, breathing new life into the ancient fighting genre. 
Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Weibo

The group’s first video was posted online in early May and it has been an instant hit. Photo: Sohu

The team showcases a martial arts form that epitomises the power of femininity. Photo: Sohu

News

People & Culture

University teacher wants to realise long-term dream of studying medicine


A financially successful former private tutor who gave up studying medicine 10 years ago because his family needed him to earn money, has decided to pursue his dream and is facing criticism for doing so.


China education

Teacher from top China university retakes key exam aged 35, accused of depriving young

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}University teacher wants to realise long-term dream of studying medicine

University teacher wants to realise long-term dream of studying medicine