As a growing number of overseas Chinese students run into financial difficulties due to the declining wealth of their families, many go online to express their grief and seek advice on how to cope with the situation.
The 24-year-old Chinese student is currently studying design in an undergraduate program at a university in Alabama.
Her parents have so far spent 1.5 million Chinese yuan, or about $211,500, to fund her overseas studies and living expenses.
But in October last year, her parents told her they were facing cash flow problems and could no longer offer her financial support.
"I didn't have time to feel sad because I needed to make money to pay for my tuition fees and rent as soon as possible," Zhang told CNBC in Mandarin.
Persons:
Xiao Zhang, Zhang
Organizations:
New Oriental Education, CNBC
Locations:
Alabama, U.S