China cleaner inspired by university students gets into graduate school after year of self-study

A university cleaner in southwestern China has secured a place in a master’s programme after a year of self-study while raising two children.Li Jia, 33, from Chengdu in Sichuan province, works full-time as a cleaner at Chengdu-university-of-technology" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="142167" data-entity-type="organization">Chengdu University of Technology.She and her husband once ran a restaurant near the campus, but it closed after struggling to stay afloat, according to local reports.Li later took a sanitation job at the university, valuing its stability, proximity to home and fixed hours, which made it easier to care for her children.Li Jia, above, cleans a rubbish bin situated beside some trees. Photo: BaiduHer cleaning route often overlaps with venues for national exams, bringing her into contact with students from across the country.Li recalls seeing some students memorising notes under street lights and others with grey hair still taking exams.“It is impossible not to be moved by these scenes,” she told the mainland media.Friendly and outgoing, Li connected with many students online, and her social media would fill with celebratory posts after each exam.Inspired by their dedication and wanting to set an example for her children, she decided to take the postgraduate entrance exam herself.Li, above, who took inspiration from the students around her, empties a rubbish bin. Photo: BaiduBut Li’s road to the exam was steeper than most.Further ReadingAs a vocational school graduate without a bachelor’s degree, she was required under admissions rules to sit two additional subjects.With only eight months between starting her preparations and the preliminary exam, time was scarce.Her workload also grew after she was promoted to a management role for strong performance.Li studied whenever she could.After arriving at work at 6am, she listened to politics and English lessons through headphones, drank coffee at lunchtime to stay alert while doing practice papers, and reviewed materials beside her children as they did their homework after school.Throughout the process, Li was supported by her husband and parents-in-law, who helped with housework and the school run.In April, she was admitted to a three-year master’s programme at the College of Literature and Law at Chengdu-university-of-technology" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="142167" data-entity-type="organization">Chengdu University of Technology.Li studies hard alongside her daughter who is doing her homework. Photo: BaiduAware that graduate life will be challenging, Li believes her years of work and family experience have prepared her, giving her an edge most of her peers lack.Li hopes to excel in every course and expressed heartfelt thanks to the students who encouraged her along the way.“To everyone working hard: if it is the right thing to do, do not worry too much about the outcome. You will reap the rewards,” she said.Li’s story has resonated widely on mainland social media.One netizen said: “The environment shapes a person’s mindset and choices. Congratulations to Li. She has become the best role model for her children.”