The recent phenomenon of people aged over 30 quitting their jobs to study overseas has caught the media's attention.

On one hand, they have left their jobs and income and delayed marriage to face an uncertain future. On the other hand, as they are older, they know what they want and have a clear career plan, which enables their education to be more targeted.

In recent years, an increasing number of people are breaking away from routine to make their life choices. Some are giving up lucrative jobs to read for a master's or doctoral degree and some are leaving a comfortable life in large cities to work in rural areas.

The phenomenon shows that compared with the older generation, young people increasingly care more about self-realization. Today's more tolerant social environment is also enabling them to plan their own lives. Previously people were expected to find a job after graduation, get married and have children.

To a certain extent, going abroad to study at an older age is a result of social progress. There will be more and more people making such "capricious" choices in the future. As long as one has found one's direction, it is never too late to start one's life again. Every choice should be respected as long as it is for the purpose of realizing one's personal values.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Guangzhou Daily on July 16)