This project delves into the profound challenges faced by Chinese students who study in the United States and return to China in pursuit of employment. Through a social practice approach, I aim to spotlight the issue of degree inflation—a phenomenon where the increasing ubiquity of bachelor's degrees diminishes their value in the job market.

Engaging with the Chinese student community through interviews conducted via WeChat, this project captures the stark realities these students face upon their return. In 2000, fewer than a million Chinese held bachelor’s degrees; by 2022, this number had escalated to over 10 million. This surge has not only saturated the market but also transformed academic qualifications into mere tools for resume screening, overshadowing the real capabilities and individuality of the degree holders.

The core of my installation is a visual representation of degree inflation, reminiscent of a matchmaking corner—a cultural practice in China where individuals are superficially evaluated based on their family background, jobs, wealth, and appearance. My work mimics this reductionism by displaying the gender, age, educational background, and work experience of Chinese international students in the form of cover letters, placed on walls or the ground of public spaces, echoing the public advertisement style. This setup invites viewers to reflect on the devaluation of academic achievements and consider the personal and societal implications of this shift.

This project not only raises awareness about the economic pressures and skewed employment opportunities faced by these students but also challenges the audience to reconsider what a bachelor’s degree means to them in today's world.