Sun Xiaodong hasn’t received a single job offer yet, but he isn’t concerned. The computer science major at Huazhong University of Science and Technology has no intentions of starting work immediately after graduating. Instead, the 23-year-old is planning a trip to Sichuan and Tibet with his classmates to celebrate their graduation.
尽管孙晓东（音译）还没找到工作，但他并不担心。毕业于华中科技大学计算机科学专业、现年23岁的他并不打算一毕业便开始工作，而是正计划着和同学一起前往四川和西藏，来场毕业之旅。
Apart from its ritual function of saying farewell to college life, a graduation trip now also serves as a form of escapism and soul-searching for graduates.
除了作为告别大学生活的仪式外，如今的毕业旅行也成了毕业生逃离现实追寻自我的途径之一。
Yu Dongxue, 22, a journalism major at Sichuan University, thinks a graduation trip with her classmates is a once in a lifetime experience – they’re not married and are not bound by job obligations. So, even though Yu already took a loan to finish college, she is still borrowing money to embark on her graduation rite to Jiuzhaigou.
来自四川大学新闻专业、22岁的郁冬雪（音译）认为，和同学一起踏上毕业旅行这样的经历一生仅此一次——大家都还没有结婚，也没有工作职责的束缚。因此，虽然是靠贷款读完大学，她还是决定借点钱来筹备自己的九寨沟毕业之旅。
“The most important point is that we are young,” says Yu. “This innocent emotion among classmates and the spirit of curiosity and passion may never come back.”
“最重要的是我们都年轻，”郁冬雪说。“同学之间纯粹的感情以及我们的好奇心和激情或许会一去不复返了。”
Wang Cunfu, 22, a senior majoring in law at China University of Political Science and Law, agrees: “This summer is the last time we will have so few responsibilities, so I will do my best to go somewhere far away.”
对此，中国政法大学法学专业大四学生、22岁的王存福（音译）十分认同：“这个夏天是我们最后一次毫无负担的时光了，我会尽可能地去远方走走。”
New perspective
全新视角
Ma Yu’an went on a bicycle tour deep into Qinghai and Tibet for three months last year, as he couldn’t find a job after graduating from a degree in history at Tianjin University.
去年，毕业于天津大学历史学专业的马宇安（音译）因为毕业后找不到工作，于是花了三个月时间深入青海和西藏进行了一次单车之旅。
“For me, it was an escape from the pressure and anxiety of entering society,” says Ma.
“对我来说，这是从步入社会的压力和焦虑中逃离。”马宇安说。
After meeting peers from all over the country on his trip, Ma now shares his stories of being on the road as a freelance blogger and photographer, even though his parents aren’t happy with it.
旅行途中，马宇安遇见了来自全国各地的同龄人，如今的他已经是一名自由博主兼摄影师，和大家一起分享着自己的行者故事，尽管他的父母对此并不满意。
“I would not be working in this ‘unstable’ job had I not come out of my comfort zone,” says Ma. “But I do see my life differently now.”
“如果我还没有走出自己的‘舒适地带’的话，现在也就不会从事着这样一份‘不稳定’的工作了，”马宇安说，“但我确实感觉到我生活的改变。”
Gao Liankui, 24, who traveled to Nepal after graduating from Shenzhen University in 2011, agrees.
对此，现年24岁的高连奎（音译）表示赞同。2011年，刚刚从深圳大学毕业的他便旅行去了尼泊尔。
“Some students think it’s important to get a job right after their graduation, otherwise they may never get one,” says Gao. “But that’s not true. Jobs will still be there when you return while youth doesn’t wait.”
“有些学生觉得毕业后马上找份工作很重要，否则可能就会永久失业了，”高连奎说。“但其实不然。你回来时工作还在那里，但青春可不等人。”
Beneficial experience
获益良多
According to Gao, traveling can improve your skills in various areas.
高连奎表示，旅行能够提升你在许多方面的能力。
By working out a budget and a route, planning activities, and arranging accommodation, Gao feels he has become more organized and efficient. Talking to peers in hostels not only puts your communication skills to the test, it’s an eye-opening experience and a chance to make like-minded friends.
通过做预算、定路线、规划活动、安排住宿，高连奎觉得自己变得更有条理也更高效了。在青年旅社里和年轻人聊天不仅是对你沟通能力的考验，也是一次开阔视野、结交志同道合的朋友的机会。
Nie Xiang, 28, a hostel owner in Dali, Yunnan province, supports this notion.
现在云南大理经营着一家青年旅社、28岁的聂湘（音译）赞同这一观点。
“Hostels are made for young travelers and offer them many opportunities to make friends,” Nie says.
“青年旅社就是为年轻行者们开设的，为他们提供结交朋友的机会。”聂湘说。