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Women Experts Encourage Archeology Lover to Chase Her Dream
Time: 11:15 Dec-16
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Two women experts have encouraged Zhong Fangrong, an 18-year-old rural girl who achieved an excellent score on the national college entrance exam, to chase her dreams.
With her high score on the exam — 676 out of 750 — Zhong could have chosen any major at any university in the country. It surprised people when she signed up for archaeology at Peking University (PKU), one of the least popular majors in China.
Influenced by Fan Jinshi, an 82-year-old expert who dedicated her life to studying cultural relics at Dunhuang's Mogao Grottoes in Northwest China's Gansu Province, Zhong is interested in history and cultural heritage, and it is her dream to become an archeologist.
Many people have questioned Zhong's decision, though, noting that the less lucrative major may waste her opportunity for a better life.
Upon learning about this, Fan, who majored in archaeology at PKU and holds the position of Honorary President of Dunhuang Academy, decided to send a signed copy of her biography Dunhuang Is Where My Heart Belongs: Biography of Fan Jinshi to Zhong. She also included a letter encouraging Zhong to stay true to her dreams and work hard.
The book recounts many stories of Fan's life in Dunhuang. Much of the book is focused on protecting the Grottoes and Dunhuang's cultural heritage.
With the help from Yilin Publishing House, Fan's gift was delivered to Zhong's school. "I also sent a few more copies to the school's library so that more students can learn more about Dunhuang," said Chen Ye, an editor at Yilin.
Fan's friend Gu Chunfang, who is a professor at PKU's School of Arts and serves as the narrator of the biography, said she hopes that Zhong will continue to enjoy life and learning, and looks forward to seeing her on campus.
Zhong was so surprised by Fan's present that she took a photo with the book and wrote back to Fan that night.
Touched by Zhong's story, another well-known scholar, Meng Man, offered her encouragement during a recent interview.
Meng Man, part-time Vice-President of All-China Women's Federation and a professor at Minzu University of China, is proud of Zhong's decision to pursue passion over profits. She noted that this is a new vocational attitude among young people, who give priority to their interests without worrying too much about monetary compensation.
According to Meng, at least 60 percent of her students choose the major of history as their first choice every year, and the proportion is increasing.
Meanwhile, Meng hopes the fanfare around Zhong's story won't bring too much pressure to her and people should respect her own right of choice.
"If she feels good about the major in the future, it will be fine. But if she finds it far from her imagination, it is okay for her to move on to something else," said Meng.
(Source: xdkb.net and China Women's News/Translated and edited by Women of China)
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