Press "PandaGuides" above to follow us!
A Chinese graduate student has captured online attention with his remarkable commitment to love and education, making weekly commutes between Australia and China for three months.
Xu Guangli, 28, is completing his master’s degree in arts management at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. For 11 weeks, from August to October, Xu traveled between his hometown of Dezhou, in Shandong province, and Melbourne to attend a single weekly class, all while maintaining his relationship with his girlfriend back home.
Each round trip spanned three days. Xu would leave home at 7 a.m., travel to Jinan, the provincial capital with an airport, take a connecting flight to Melbourne, attend his class the following day, and then return to China on the third day.
“It was my final semester, and I only needed to attend one class per week to meet graduation requirements,” Xu told the Dazhong Daily.
But Xu's motivation went beyond academics. His girlfriend, who had recently completed her studies in Australia, had returned to China, leaving Xu feeling isolated in Melbourne.
“Life in Melbourne on my own was lonely,” Xu shared. “I missed her and the food back home.”
Xu documented his extraordinary travels on Douyin, earning nearly 10,000 followers. In one video, he detailed the costs of a single trip: 6,700 yuan (US$930), including 4,700 yuan for flights and additional expenses for taxis and meals.
While this weekly expense was higher than renting a Melbourne apartment - previously costing him 10,000 yuan (US$1,400) per month - Xu felt the effort was justified. “It was worth it for love and the good food at home,” he explained.
During his overnight stays in Melbourne, Xu slept on a friend’s couch to save money. He also used the opportunity to explore new destinations, visiting several Chinese cities and even Vietnam during layovers.
Xu completed his final class in late October, marking the end of his international commuting adventure. Reflecting on the experience, he noted that it also gave him valuable insights into domestic work environments in preparation for his future career.
The story of Xu’s dedication has sparked widespread discussion online, with many marveling at his resilience and commitment.
“I’ve never seen anyone so devoted to love before,” one netizen commented.
Others were less enthusiastic, calling the routine exhausting and impractical. “I wouldn’t even commute weekly between neighboring cities for school, let alone between countries,” another user wrote.
