The live broadcasting of the HOPE interview with students on 28th September, with its authentic case studies and enthusiastic reception, provided a vivid sample for observing the development paths of international students, Mao and Shi, HOPE’s students graduating from University of Edinburgh UK and National University Singapore respectively. The dialogue between the two students, one building a career at Google UK and the other returning to a large state-owned enterprise in China offered a profound revelation of the diversity and rationalization trend in the career choices of students.
The core value of this dialogue lies in its transcendence beyond the dichotomy of ‘working abroad is better’ or ‘returning home is the ultimate destination’. The experience of the senior at Google UK highlights the emphasis on professional hard skills and the maturity of the career development system in top international tech companies. In contrast, the choice of the senior who joined the state-owned enterprise demonstrates the strong appeal of domestic high-quality platforms for talents with global perspectives, as well as the unique value of applying globalized thinking to local practices. Crucially, both choices are not final endpoints. They both emphasized that career development is a dynamic process of continuous adjustment and optimization, with the core being the precise alignment between personal long-term planning and ever-changing market opportunities.
The active interaction from parents during the live stream reflects a shift in mindset. An overseas education is gradually shedding its aura of being a ‘glamorous credential’ and is instead being viewed as an important pathway to enhance personal competitiveness, rather than an end in itself. The focus of parents and students has shifted from ‘whether one can stay abroad’ to ‘how to maximize personal value.’
In today's world, where globalization and local opportunities are deeply intertwined, the successful paths of the two HOPE students prove that true success is not solely determined by geographic location. Whether choosing to gain experience abroad or returning home to seize opportunities, the ultimate purpose lies in self-awareness, professional skills and adapt to changing circumstances. Their stories inspire those who follow: the world stage is vast, and the key is to find the space that best suits oneself and then dedicate effort to it.
As HOPE’s value-added service, We will continue to organize such practical event enlightening both students planning to study abroad and those who returned.
