Living Guide for Foreign Students in China

China is fast becoming a major competitor in the world, for its industries, economy and higher education. China can be a cheap alternative to a world-class higher education as compared to countries such as the United States, Australia among others.

Why Study in China?

There are different reasons why you should study in China. It is a great chance to study in the most populous country in the world. You will experience a mix of ancient and modern civilizations within a country that has many different cultures and dialects.

As China exudes both tradition and modernity, its rich history extending further than 5,000 years, its seven UNESCO world heritage sites such as the Forbidden City, and its booming cities, like Shanghai, are some of the reasons why you should go.

As the second-largest economy in the world, just one step down from the United States only would work there be immensely rewarding, but studying in China would be so as well.

That is why many students worldwide choose to study in China for a chance to meet people from all over the world and expand their network!companies and leaders from various industries come to this part of the country and do their business in China, so it’s possible to meet one of them while you are in the country.

Also, China is very affordable; the cost of living and tuition fees are much lower on average, compared to other continents.

Plus, the Chinese government is investing immensely in education to get more international recognition. Thus, you will get a chance to get the top education at a price you can afford. 

Living guide for foreign students in china

Learn the language: China has different dialects. China has two major languages: Mandarin and Cantonese. Generally, students face a dilemma in choosing which language to learn. It is advisable to learn Mandarin because of reasons like it is the official language of China and Taiwan and also, it is used by most Chinese schools, colleges, and universities. Though the language is a little difficult to practice. However, if you intend to study in China for the next three/four years, you must know the basics to find your way around and also enrich your learning.

Know about your universities: The top-three universities in China are Tsinghua University, Peking University (both in Beijing) and Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. Tsinghua and Zhejiang Universities are general universities, with an emphasis on Engineering, while Peking University focuses more on pure sciences and humanities. Zhejiang University recently overtook the more famous Tsinghua as the top-ranked university in China, according to QS World rankings. However, the best university to study at varies from major to major and also depends on the subject that you are looking to pursue.

Adapting to the culture: China’s language and culture differ a lot than other countries, you can find some similarities between the two places. While it will be difficult for you to get used to their eating habits and lifestyle in general, but once you start experiencing it, you’ll enjoy it. You should mingle with the local students and get to know more about their culture, traditions, festivals, movies, society, etc.

Staying in touch: Although, the Internet is the most cost-effective way to stay in touch with your family and friends, yet students continue to have reservations about the Internet because of censorship issues in China. A mobile phone is another way to be in touch with your family. There are two ways to use your mobile in China:

(1) Students wanting to use phone numbers assigned by their domestic telecommunication operators should make sure that “international roaming service” is turned on by their local provider before their entry to China. If you wish to use your own phone from home, make sure to bring a compatible GSM/GPRS 900/1800 dual-frequency mobile phone (the phone must be unlocked). This can be an expensive affair.

(2) International students can also buy SIM phone cards and pre-paid phone cards to enjoy all the services provided by local mobile phone operators. The pre-paid phone cards of China Mobile are available in a variety of price values. Once your pre-paid SIM card has run out of credit, you can conveniently buy a recharge card at any news-stall.

Accommodation/ Safety: There are mainly two ways to find apartment rental information. First, you can approach any real estate agency and use their services or visit a property website. The commission is as much as one month rent. Secondly, you can find the information on the internet, but most of the ads are posted by agents. In Beijing, signing a rental contract with the landlord is conventional, and you should ask the landlord to show his/her property ownership certificate to avoid cheating. Although most universities in Beijing are located in the western part of the city, students generally consider dwelling in the east. This so because most restaurants, bars, clubs as well as international hospitals and foreign beauty salons etc. are located on the eastern side.

Conclusion

living in one of the biggest countries, with the largest population in the world, life in China can be an overwhelming experience for most people. When international students decide to study in China, many of them worry about the way of life in China is completely different from their home countries, and they may have hard time to adapt their new study life in China.

The number of higher education institutions in China has doubled in the last decade, and today, there are nearly 3,000 institutions. China, which is determined to have some of the best universities in the world, launched Project 211 in 1995 to bring 100 of its universities to the top of higher institutions in the world. As part of an additional project, a league called “C9” was created specifically for facilities designed to provide elite education. This investment and the modernization of higher education in China have made this institution a more popular choice for foreign students wishing to study abroad.

lastly, To be on the safer side in a foreign land, students must exercise caution and take care of their belongings both in their dormitories as well as while traveling outside to avoid being victims of theft or robbery. Keep important documents and money in a safe place. Make sure you keep photocopies of relevant pages in your passport and other important documents in a separate place. Always carry with you some identification as well as details of who should be contacted in an emergency.