While it is admirable for parents to invest in their children’s future by sending them abroad for education, the reality is that not all children who study overseas bring pride to their families; some even end up in worse situations.
Take the case of a young woman named Wang from Xi’an, China, as reported by Huashang.com. Her parents invested 1 million yuan (approximately 3.6 billion VND) in her Australian education over several years. However, after completing her studies, Wang decided to return home to find a job.
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Like many other international students returning to China, Wang submitted numerous job applications in the hopes of finding a suitable position. However, luck did not seem to be on her side as her applications were not accepted by many companies. The few offers she received were from ordinary companies with very low salaries.
Concerned about their daughter’s situation, Wang’s parents decided to find her a job in a hotel with a monthly salary of around 3,000 yuan (10 million VND). With her qualifications, Wang’s salary could increase by 50% each year. However, it would still take her over a decade to repay her parents the 1 million yuan they invested in her education.
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Unable to bear the thought of working for so many years to repay her parents, Wang quit her job after a few days and chose to rely on her parents’ retirement income for her living expenses.
However, this was not the end of Wang’s or her parents’ troubles. Determined not to be a burden on her parents anymore, Wang started thinking of ways to get rich quickly. She decided to venture into the risky business of loan sharking.
Wang borrowed money from Zhang Wen, Wang Li, and Liu Lin (names changed) with the promise of high-interest rates ranging from 3% to 5% per month. To convince them, she lied about her family’s wealth, claiming they owned a lucrative company and project.
She even encouraged her friends to join an online lending platform, which turned out to be a scam. In total, Wang borrowed more than 3 million yuan (nearly 11 billion VND) from them.
Wang’s scheme eventually failed, and her parents only found out about it when the situation escalated. Unable to repay the massive debt, Wang was arrested and charged with fraud by the Chang’an District People’s Procuratorate in Xi’an.
Heartbroken by their daughter’s actions, Wang’s parents decided to sell their house to repay her debts.
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This story serves as a stark reminder that parents’ decisions to invest in their children’s overseas education should not be taken lightly. It is crucial to consider factors such as the quality of education, the child’s field of interest, and the family’s financial capabilities.
Studying abroad offers children the opportunity to gain new knowledge, develop life skills, become more independent, and broaden their horizons. However, upon their return, finding employment and earning a decent salary can be challenging. Many international graduates struggle to find jobs that match their fields of study.
Factors such as the job market, employer requirements, and intense competition can affect the salary levels that returning students can expect. Hence, it is essential for parents to educate and guide their children towards realistic career paths.
Parents should not only provide financial support but also accompany their children on their journey of self-improvement. Encouraging children to engage in extracurricular activities, internships, and networking can boost their confidence and ease their transition into the workforce.
Lastly, parents need to ensure their children understand the realities of the job market back home, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their future. Investing in education is invaluable, but it is equally vital to equip children with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their careers.
