A 28-year-old Chinese student, Xu Guangli, has taken the internet by storm with his weekly international commute to maintain a long-distance relationship while completing his master’s degree in arts management at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. For three months, Xu made weekly round trips from Shandong, China to Melbourne, balancing his studies and his love life.
Xu’s weekly journey began in August and lasted 11 weeks, with each round trip taking three days. He would leave his hometown, Dezhou, at 7 a.m. and travel to Jinan to catch a flight to Melbourne, with a layover en route. He attended his class, spent the night at a friend’s place to save money, and returned home the next day.
In an interview with Dazhong Daily, Xu explained, “It was my last semester, and I only needed one class to meet the graduation requirements. More importantly, my girlfriend had returned to China, and life in Melbourne on my own was lonely.” Xu has been studying in Australia for eight years, and his decision to travel back and forth was also motivated by his desire to understand China’s domestic work environment, which he believed would benefit his career.
Documenting his travels on social media, Xu quickly gained nearly 10,000 followers. In one of his videos, he broke down the costs of his weekly trips, which amounted to 6,700 yuan ($920). This included return flight tickets, taxi fares, and meals. Xu added, “Despite the costs exceeding the 10,000 yuan monthly rent I paid in Melbourne, the money and effort were worth it for love—and the good food at home.”
Xu’s journeys also allowed him to explore various Chinese cities and even visit Vietnam during one of his trips. His story sparked admiration on social media, with users praising his dedication. “I have never seen anyone so devoted to love before,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “I wouldn’t travel such a long distance weekly for anything. It’s simply too exhausting.”
Xu completed his studies in October and no longer has to make the weekly commute. His commitment to his relationship and studies has made him an online sensation, inspiring many with his determination fueled by love.
