"Academic star" voluntarily lives as a vagrant and waits tables

(Dan Tri) - Once an "academic star" in China, Zhao Dian (32 years old) eventually decided to live as a homeless person because he felt unhappy.

Zhao Dian was once considered an "academic star" when he excellently earned 2 bachelor's degrees and 3 master's degrees in finance in Australia, the US, China and France. However, he never felt happy.

Zhao said he had a cold relationship with his parents. From a young age, he was haunted by the thought of having a harsh, even violent father just because he was left-handed. His mother never listened to or understood him. For Zhao, the prestigious education he received was like "shackles".

Zhao Dian (left) is an "academic star" (Photo: SCMP).

After many years living abroad, he felt very lonely and often found solace only in meeting his fellow countrymen. While in France, he applied to work in the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant. This humble job made Zhao feel happy.

"Happiness can come even when washing dishes, why do we always have to wait for big things?" he expressed.

In 2023, Zhao returned to China and started working as a waiter at a beer festival and a hotel. But last year, when he arrived in Yunnan province, he decided to live as a homeless person.

Every day, he wakes up at 7am and goes to bed at 9pm. He survives by eating at free vegetarian restaurants and showering and doing laundry at hotels. Surprisingly, Zhao only spends 100 yuan (about 370,000 VND) per month, while still having about 2,500 yuan (more than 9.2 million VND) in savings.

Zhao’s clothes are all second-hand, simple to the point of being almost minimalist. The only thing in his luggage that is always with him is his e-reader – his companion on long trips. He spends most of his time reading, traveling and participating in spiritual projects, such as founding a book club or sharing psychological counseling videos on social media.

Despite graduating from prestigious educational institutions, Zhao believes that many young people today are disoriented and lost in a stressful and toxic learning environment. From that concern, he initiated a career guidance project to help children discover their true passion through real-life experiences, instead of just following other people's expectations.

According to Zhao, deviating from the “standard path” of quitting a stable job, living a minimalist life and spending less has helped him find a deep sense of fulfillment. However, this “unconventional” lifestyle has also made him the center of controversy.

Zhao decided to live his "wandering" life in Yunnan, China (Photo: SCMP).

Zhao has had nine relationships, including a 10-year-old daughter from a relationship in New York. Despite the breakup, he and his daughter still keep in regular contact via social media. He also admitted that he always craved close relationships, but he proactively cut off contact with his parents in New Zealand to “free himself from old hurts”.

Public opinion on Zhao's story is divided into two camps. Some expressed understanding, thinking that he is bravely healing himself.

One netizen wrote: “I completely understand why he chose to live a nomadic life. It is the result of a lonely childhood, overbearing parents and a disorienting education. Zhao is just finding his identity in the way he feels is right.”

Kieu Yen

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/ngoi-sao-hoc-thuat-tu-nguyen-song-lang-thang-lam-boi-ban-20251004161028902.htm