Australian Businessman Pays For Poor Chinese Student’s Tuition After Hearing His Struggles

January 9, 2018

A poor Chinese student in Australia wrote a touching piece after achieving an impressive Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) score of 99.85 in the Higher School Certificate (HSC), just .05 point score shot of attaining a much-needed scholarship to study a combined law degree.

Daniel Hu’s inspiring story, published in The Sydney Morning Herald in December, caught the attention of a prominent businessman, DWL Financial Services boss David Lee, who has offered to pay his university fees.

In his article, Hu proudly shared his achievements with his Chinese immigrant parents who worked as cleaners in Sydney.

“Nine years ago, I received my OC (opportunity class) placement results to find myself scoring less than 200. Both my parents are Chinese migrants, coming to Australia to provide the next generation (me) with the opportunity for a bright future,” Hu wrote.

Image via Facebook: Daniel Hu (Right) and his Dad

“They are uneducated, and can barely speak any English. They worked as cleaners. We lived well below the poverty line and to this day my parents earn well below what the average Australian earns each year.”

He eventually got accepted to Sydney Boys High School, which is “known for nurturing boys of high academic ability and sporting success.”

“I am now a recent graduate of Sydney High. In the Higher School Certificate, I achieved an ATAR of 99.85 and a state ranking. Although missing out on a 99.90 ATAR, which would have given me a scholarship, was disappointing,” he added.

“I am incredibly proud of my achievements, considering where I came from. And I owe this success all to my parents. They are the true high achievers.”

After reading about Hu’s story, David Lee found a connection to Hu as he himself grew up in a poor Chinese-Malaysian family and knew no English before coming to Australia.

“I now own a successful financial planning company but, like Daniel’s parents, I did anything I could to get by in the early days,” Lee told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Lee soon got in touch with Hu and met him for coffee on Monday where the student discussed his background and future plans.

“He had a lot of empathy as he came from humble beginnings as well,” Hu later shared about their meeting.

“He offered to pay for my university fees – which was very amazing – and he also offered a trip overseas for my parents.”

Lee also offered to pay for a free holiday for the family but Hu said his parents probably wouldn’t accept the offer because they are “very proud people.” In addition to Lee’s generous offers, the teenager also received help from other, including part-time jobs at three different law firms.

Feature Image via Facebook / Daniel Hu

Share this Article