Chinese PhD girl dismisses stereotypes

Claire said she would like to tell the girls who are going to gain doctorate not to be worried about marriage.

"If a woman is better educated, her husband would be under great pressure," she said. "But this is not the case in the West. It is very common to see a girl taller than her boyfriend. People would like to be matched by characters and hobbies, rather than diploma."

Claire's friend Meng Yu (not her real name) who took the photos for her shared the view. "Doctor is just like a job, nothing else special," she said, adding that she would not care much about the educational background of her Mr. Right.

Another schoolmate Zhang Cheng (not his real name) said he would feel safer having a girlfriend working in the lab than travelling around. "But I do have the concern if life would be boring to live with a researcher."

Claire said she would like to tell the girls who are going to gain doctorate not to be worried.

"It is quite fascinating doing research," she said. "But you need to balance your personal life and research work, and have your own interests and hobbies."

She also wanted to tell netizens that "female doctors are not horrible."

Claire's parents wanted to see her dating soon. When talking with her on the phone, they expressed the wish to have her back earlier so as to find a boyfriend. Claire said she would go back to China definitely, but not so soon as in one or two years.

"I don't push myself seeking for a boyfriend," she beamed. Not without admirers, Claire was confident. "My Mr. Right will come up anyway."