Young Chinese face hard road to happiness(2)

"In Europe, college graduates have a gap year after graduation and they can make full use of this period of time to think about what they want to do next," said Zhang Zhongwen, a 24-year-old employee of a foreign embassy in Beijing who recently returned from Scotland.

"I can't accept a rigid job with no passion. Working like a machine would kill me," said Zhang, adding that he is already prepared to quit his embassy job.

Born to a well-off family, Zhang had more time and money to spend before entering the working world. His parents have already offered to pay his way if he wishes to study abroad again this year.

Zhang said he was amazed by the fact that many Europeans in their thirties do not own their own homes.

"That's not acceptable in China. If you live in a rented room, you feel ashamed," Zhang said.

The fact that he has had to rely on his parents has made Zhang dissatisfied with the current state of his life. Many young Chinese are in the same situation, receiving handouts from their parents well after graduating from college.

"They have no other choice but to become boomerang kids," Chen said.

Since most young Chinese can't afford to purchase their first home, their parents are often left to make the down payment.

"On the road to happiness, a house is a must," Chen said.

Although his own road has been a bumpy one, Chen has refused to give up, hoping to make his way somehow in Beijing.

"I refuse to go back home, even though my parents have urged me to do so several times," he said.

Chen believes he has one last chance to stay in Beijing. He plans to take a PhD exam, as fresh graduates can apply for positions that allow them to get a Beijing hukou.

"If I fail, I might just pack up and go home," he said.