46 ECNU girls suspend college for army experience

On November 9, 46 female students from East China Normal University officially bid farewell to their campus and stepped into the green barracks that they have long dreamed of.

46 ECNU girl students suspend college for army experience

This is the first year since the reform of female soldier recruitment from society in China. Female soldiers were bright and brave during the military parade ceremony of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, further driving the wave of women joining the military. Reporters learned from East China Normal University that by the deadline, a total of 209 female students at the university had enlisted to join the military, a higher number compared with previous years. Among the 46 female university students, some are from military families, some are from disaster-hit areas in Sichuan, and some are from the first batch of tuition-free normal students.

Deng Yulan from Mianyang, Sichuan, told reporters that her family was one of the most hard-hit by the Wenchuan earthquake. She witnessed the soldiers' speech and actions and recalled that they were not afraid of hard work, and served the people wholeheartedly. She was very moved and admired them a great deal. This therefore strengthened her desire to join the army.

Wang Shaowen from Xinjiang is one of the first tuition-free normal students at East China Normal University, and considers army life an important experience in challenging and training herself. She said that it may be very hard to live in the military, but as a long-distance runner of national secondary-level, she believes that she can overcome the difficulties and do well in the military, striving to receive awards. As for the future, she said firmly, "In two years time, I will return to East China Normal University to continue my studies as a more confident and mature student. After I graduate, I want to be a teacher and impart knowledge and educate people in my hometown."

Wang Yi from Shanghai is the only student at the School of Foreign Languages who has been accepted into the army. She has been a cherished girl in her home since she was a child and lives a privileged life. Her parents do many things for her. Originally, her parents had some misgivings about her joining the army, because they were mainly worried that their daughter would not be able to endure life in the military or get used to leaving home. However, with active ideological work by Wang and her assistant teacher, her parents finally decided to respect their daughter's choice and contacted the teachers of the Military Affair Office at the school to sign their daughter up.

The batch of female university students will serve in the army for two years and then return to the university to continue their studies.

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