Bao Yu

University of Cambridge, UK

Bao, 23, is working at an international school in Beijing, a career she never imagined she would have.

As a recent graduate of the University of Cambridge, Bao still remembers the special moments after the commencement ceremony in November 2022.The graduates were dressed in the school's traditional black gown and joined a procession around the town. Many local people lined the streets and clapped as the procession went by. "It felt like a scene from a Harry Potter movie," she said.

Bao had aspired to study at Cambridge since childhood and completing a one-year postgraduate program there felt like a dream come true for her. But after graduation, she felt uneasy. "I had no idea what my next goal was and what to do next," she said.

In fact, she was offered a place in a PhD program at Cambridge, which in many people's eyes would be an unmissable opportunity, but not to Bao. "I don't think I have a lifelong passion for academia, even though I was nicknamed 'Scholar Bao' by my peers at school," she said.

Fortunately, in what she calls "the toughest days" of her life, she was given an opportunity to take a job in the education sector back in China, which, she said, gave her direction.

Together with her team, Bao now provides admission counseling to around 200 high school students. In her daily interactions with these teens, Bao says she can see herself in them — they have similar thoughts, motivations and confusions as her younger self. Therefore, Bao hopes to make good use of her experiences to help them plan their futures and spare them from unnecessary twists and turns like those that she went through.

"I'm gratified to find that my students are making progress after taking my suggestions," she said.

Recalling her school days, Bao recognizes her courage to chase her dream. "I believe where there's a will, there's a way. But more importantly, you've got to find out what you want, and keep it in mind when making decisions," she said.

And right now, she's certain that being an educator is exactly what she wants.