Sept. 24 — Why China? That’s a question I have had to answer a lot these past few months. Whether it be family, friends, or previous co-workers, everyone wants to know why I have chosen to apply to Wuhan University for law school.
I’m 23 years old and a recent graduate of college. I am also the first person in my Black working-class family to graduate from college. Since I was a teenager, I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer, with my specific interest being international law.
It was my dream to serve as counsel on the International Criminal Court. However, given the recent failure of ICC lawyers to bring Israel and its genocidal supporters to heel, I no longer live under any delusions about international law’s capabilities in the current world order.
While it is true that there are a myriad of U.S.-based law schools that provide international law programs for students to enroll in, the problem that I have continuously found myself in is cost. I have no help to finance furthering my education and already have around $20,000 of student loan debt.
The slight humor to this situation is that I’m considered lucky compared to other recent Gen-Z graduates, as the average student loan debt is currently over $37,000. I offer this to give perspective on why I would consider what most have politely told me is a drastic change of scenery.
While I must admit the prospect of such change at first was scary, especially since this would be the furthest I have ever traveled, I now embrace the change. The first two reasons I offer to those who ask are cost and cultural experience. Like so many others my age, I want to receive an education for my passions and have ambitions of turning those passions into a career.
The better option is obvious
The School of International Law at Wuhan University has one of the world’s top international law programs and thousands of students worldwide enroll every semester. The total cost for the duration of the program, 2 years, is currently a little over $9,000. In comparison, the tuition costs for Georgetown University Law Center’s three-year program are over $79,000 per year. To any student, the better option is obvious.
Most, if not all, young adults in Gen-Z cannot afford to take out loans to cover this amount of money, nor can they attach all their hopes to receiving scholarships from philanthropists who are only interested in receiving a tax write-off.
China has a rich history that more people should want to experience, not to mention their public transportation systems allow both the Chinese people and visitors to fully enjoy what the country has to offer.
It surprised me when I found out that the Chinese government allots money in the form of scholarships to students from dozens of countries around the world, the U.S. being one of them. All that is required is that an interested student applies directly with the Chinese government, most likely through an embassy in their country or the university itself.
Unsurprisingly, the U.S., Britain, and Australia are amongst the lowest student populations to utilize the scholarship monies provided. This needs to change, as there should be as few barriers to higher education as possible, despite the ruling class’s desire to keep people stuck in perpetual debt. If the international community welcomes me with open arms, I think it only makes sense to accept the invitation and learn from people worldwide.
While I’m sure many may not understand my decision to go outside the box of U.S. conventionalism, all I have to offer is that those with my circumstances, will and do understand. Some have even offered to visit me while I’m there. I am the first in my family to graduate from college, and while that is something to celebrate, my story does not end there. I have always wanted to be part of the international community, to see for myself what is true and what is not, and to work with others around the world to bring true justice to the working class.
True international solidarity rooted in the working class is not something any U.S. law program could ever offer, and thus, it’s not for me anymore. Although I wrote this to explain why I decided to make this decision, I’m hoping that this gives information to other young people interested in doing the same.
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