Night School Students in China: Seeking Light within the Dark

In China, migrant workers are a common presence in major cities such as Shanghai, where their low-cost labor makes a major contribution to the workforce. However, their status as perceived outsiders with low education has always limited their careers and earnings. Recently, many laborers have pursued a new possibility: Specialist certification, in fields such as culinary arts or care-giving. In industries where increasing quality is demanded, a greater focus is being placed upon knowledge and skill than past education. In this episode, we take a look at former migrant workers who attend night school in addition to their daytime jobs, struggling to distinguish themselves and be seen as more than just their birthplace and education level.