Young people from different countries constantly feel pressure from peers who show their wealth and achievements on social networks – this creates an atmosphere of constant competition in society and the desire to achieve more than others. The trend is particularly pronounced in China, where competition in the field of study is reaching extreme levels: from the early grades, students devote all their time to studying in order to pass the state exam gaokao. This exam is a ticket to prestigious universities and, as a result, a path to a successful career. But the pressure of preparing for and passing an exam has a huge impact on the psychological well-being of teenagers, so in response, young people are looking for ways to diversify their lives and reduce stress.
One of the latest trends among young people in China has been booking hotel rooms for solo movie marathons. But the so-called night schools have become the most popular among genzers (representatives of Generation Z): in recent years, interest in this phenomenon has increased significantly, as evidenced by the number of queries in Chinese search engines. What are they doing there?
China's "Non-Schools"
Night schools in China are a unique phenomenon that differs from the traditional understanding of educational institutions. Rather, these places serve as oases for young people, providing an opportunity to escape from the daily routine: in night schools, young people can immerse themselves in childhood memories and find activities that suit their interests. In some ways, Chinese night schools are the equivalent of nursing homes, but for Gen Z.
The choice of courses in such schools is huge: the offers range from courses in winemaking and traditional tea ceremonies to training in the basics of Chinese opera and barista skills. Classes are usually short and take place once a week – perfect for busy gensers looking for privacy or socializing after work or school.
One of the most popular night schools is Shanghai Night School: it offers more than 10 thousand different courses at an affordable price of about 500 yuan for 12 classes. The low cost of the courses has been the main reason for their popularity. Many students note that such schools help them find new hobbies and understand that there are joys in life outside of work. An important advantage of these institutions is convenience. After completing one course, students can easily move on to the next without any additional time investment – this is especially valuable for young people who want to make the most of their time. In the fall of 2023, more than 650 thousand people signed up for Shanghai Night School, which indicates a high demand and interest in such courses.
A great method of socialization
In addition to new skills and knowledge, night schools provide an opportunity to communicate and create social connections, which is especially important for Generation Z, whose life takes place in the online space. In these schools, young people can find like-minded people and become part of the community – this is of great importance in today's world.
Testimonials from students who attend night schools in China indicate that such institutions have a positive impact on their lives.
- For example, a user of the social network Xiaohongshu shared his experience of learning traditional Beijing stand-up: he notes that the courses at the night school helped him turn into an extrovert - now he feels more confident in communicating with others and even plans to seriously engage in creating humorous sketches. This experience completely changed his self-image and his ability to perform in front of an audience.
- Another user talked about how night classes helped her find like-minded people and open up to new hobbies. It is important to her that people in the courses do not know her personal life – this allows her to feel more free and open. She compares herself to Hannah Montana, who also led a "double life."
- A 27-year-old student who works in an office also shared her story. She used to feel tired all the time after work and spent time mindlessly scrolling through her phone, but attending courses at night school helped her find new meaning in life and an opportunity to express herself. She notes that such classes were an escape from the monotony of life for her, gave her the opportunity to develop her interests and skills.
Why have night schools become so popular?
The popularity of night schools among Chinese zoomers is attributed to a number of important factors. One of the key ones is the improvement of the economic and social situation in the country: in China, there are conditions in which young people feel more confident in the future and can afford to devote more time to personal hobbies and interests. Professor Zhang Yiwu from Peking University emphasizes that in such conditions, women tend to concentrate more on self-development, expanding their horizons and improving mental health.
In the past, young people in China tended to adhere to the philosophy of tanping ("lying flat"), which reflected a desire to avoid social pressure and abandon an active life position. Recently, however, there has been a shift in this perception: young people are beginning to take life into their own hands more actively, looking for new opportunities for self-expression and self-realization.
Night schools have come to symbolize this new wave of interest in personal growth and development. Their spread to major cities in China is evidence of the growing demand for development programs of this kind. These schools offer more than just learning new skills: they become a place of social interaction, which is important in an urbanized environment.
Prospects Abroad
This trend could have an impact beyond China's borders: other countries can use China's experience as a model to develop their own programs aimed at young people. Experts record a global trend of the desire to pay attention to personal development and psychological well-being, especially among the younger generation. Such a trend may lead to the fact that analogues of Chinese night schools will appear in other countries.
