Learning to become independent, one of the many, and biggest, challenges that student face when starting university.
Fortunately for soon-to-be Chinese scholars, now mommy and daddy can tag along, at least for the first few days.
Chinese universities are now offering 'tents of love' to parents to help support their children’s big move, and parents, are just as equally appreciative of this new setup as they learn to cope with what is usually their only baby bird flying the coop.
Eve Zhang, 48-year old mother of one, told Quartz: "We were very worried, so her father and I took ten days off and accompanied our daughter to Shanghai".
Quite the long adjustment period, but if that's what it takes...
Some schools that have jumped on the tent train include Tianjin University, which started back in 2012 with 200 so-called “Tents of Love” accompanied by showers, drinking water, air conditioning and other basic amenities, for 24 hours a day. Shantau University originally let parents stay in classrooms with chairs, tables and air conditioning, but later upgraded to both tents and mats for comfort.
And students aren't shy about stating how appreciative they are of the support. After her mother supported her move to South China Normal University in Guangzhou, Yvonne Wong, 22, told Quartz that she wished her parents were beside her again as she is about to start her masters program.
"There are too many things to carry and I need their help," said Wong. Also, she added, "they might as well see how the university is. It's something to be proud of."
When the growing gets tough...
[Image via Huazhong Normal University]
