Finding a place to study is of course important, and
you can check our studying Chinese
page to find a list of universities. Remember that
life in China is "grey" as opposed to the "black and
white" of the West, and you can usually change your
school once you get here. It just takes some
negotiating skills, patience, and persistance.
In terms of accomodation, you will probably live on
your university campus. Most people in China are
affiliated with a "danwei" work unit, and your
approximate danwei is the "waiban" of the school,
meaning the foreign affairs office. The waiban staff
are assigned to take care of you, and will probably
assign you quarters in the designated foreign student
housing. Most students are happy to live here, but if
after the first semester you want to get a place in
the city it should be no problem - only a short while
ago this was not allowed, and the school may still
kick up a fuss (but that's because they're worried
about the loss of your rent, not for legal reasons).
You will get a "student visa" that will allow you one
entry into China. If you want to leave, and travel to
another country, and then come back, you will have to
ask your "waiban" for a re-entry visa. These are no
problem to get; just a small fee and a few weeks
processing time. For more information, see our Visa
page.
Being a foreign student in China is a fantastic chance
to get to know the place, and very different from
either working or travelling here. You have the
opportunity to explore and really get to know the area
and the people to a much greater depth than you ever
do traveling, and you have the time to pursue your own
interests that you don't get working.
Just about all the schools offer extra-curricular
courses, such as calligraphy, Tai-Chi, etc and before
your first fortnight is out you are sure to be hunted
down by a Chinese student looking for a language
exchange partner. Not only is this a great way to
learn Chinese (one on one tutoring), but also the
easiest way to begin making friends here.
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