The story of a 53-year-old mother who graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree from Fudan University - one of the most prestigious schools in China and Asia - has taken Chinese social media by storm, becoming a strong source of inspiration for many people.

Learning Journey at 53

It all started when the 23-year-old daughter shared a video of her mother attending her graduation ceremony on social media platform Weibo.

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The woman's success in career and education has inspired millions on Chinese social media. Photo: Weibo

According to the girl, the mother applied for a Master's program at Fudan University in 2021 - a famous university number 1 in Shanghai, competing with big names such as Tsinghua University and Peking University.

Despite being busy with a full-time job and taking care of the family, the mother still persistently spends 2 hours every night studying. The daughter shared: "My mother is always highly focused but still maintains a comfortable and happy spirit throughout her study time. To help her, my father and I often share the housework."

Her mother’s achievements are even more remarkable as the entire family holds postgraduate degrees. Her father graduated from South China University of Technology while she herself studied at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

“I am really proud to see my mother fulfill her dream. This is also a great motivation for me and my family to try harder in life,” she shared proudly.

Admiration from the online community

The story immediately attracted the attention of Chinese netizens. Many people left positive comments on Weibo, praising the mother's spirit and will.

“Parents are the biggest role models for their children. It’s great that she proves that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams,” one person wrote.

“Excellent! An inspiring story. You can absolutely do it, as long as you have passion and perseverance,” another commented.

"Success is not only measured by the title but also by the journey we have overcome. My mother has proven that with determination, all dreams can come true."

In fact, in the past, parents in China often placed great expectations on their children, considering their children's success as the greatest pride in their lives.

However, today, this trend is gradually changing. The younger generation is not only proud of their own achievements but also cares, encourages and has positive expectations for their parents, encouraging them to pursue their own dreams.

This woman’s story reflects an increasingly common trend of people choosing to pursue higher education later in life. Instead of completing degrees in their early 20s, they are pursuing lifelong learning, returning to school while balancing careers, families, and other responsibilities.

A netizen shared a story on Douyin (China's TikTok) about his father receiving his doctorate at the age of 59. "When my father was stressed about studying, my mother and I often took him on trips to relieve the pressure. For me, the greatest joy was seeing my father realize his dreams, which even made me happier than my own successes."

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