More retirees in China seeking university education — abroad

Ms Wang Xiaoxi received an offer from an overseas university one year after her retirement at the age of 56.

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She was admitted to the University of Athens for a four-year bachelor's programme in ancient Greek archaeology, history and literature, on condition that she submit a qualified IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score within three months.

As a rare silver-haired student on campus, Ms Wang recently became an online sensation after her daughter shared her journey of studying abroad on the Chinese social networking platform Red Note. "Over 50 is the perfect age to take on new challenges!" commented one netizen, referencing a recent popular internet catch-phrase in China.

While enthusiasm for studying abroad has waned among youth, some middle-aged and elderly individuals in China are bucking the trend by pursuing education overseas. Some language training institutions have even launched special study-abroad programmes targeting such people.

Statistics from these organisations show that in 2023, people aged 50 and above accounted for 20 per cent of study tour participants, up from just 3 per cent in 2019. A quick look at social media platforms suggests that more Chinese women than men are studying abroad after retirement.