Study in Hainan!

[studychinese]

I am going to study for 3 months in Hainan. I found this school http://www.haikouschool.com .

Does anyone have any ideas? Really need help. I chose Hainan because recently I have had a serious relapse of asthma, and would probably die in Beijing or Shanghai. Hainan is the cleanest air in the whole country.

Please, if anyone has any info about schools in Hainan, let us know.

[jasoninchina]

When I first came to Hainan I had a look at PLS. It appeared to be a pretty small operation with only a few students in each class. It is located on Haidian Island, which is a fairly nice location, right there at Hainan University. In the end, I chose Hainan Normal University due to the convenience factor. To give you an idea of some of your options, they are:

1. Hainan University

2. Hainan Normal University

3. PLS

4. Hainan Yuda Foreign Language School. (www.yudafla.com)

I'm sure I missed something, but those are your biggest options. If you have any specific questions, I'll do my best to answer. However, the only school I have experience with is Hainan Normal University, which I would rate as "decent."

p.s. If you've never been here, do some research. People tend to be disappointed when they arrive to find it's not all beaches.

[studychinese]

Thanks for your reply. I will check those schools out.

This will be my first time to go to China. Anything specific to Hainan that I should look out for? Also, I love Chinese food, but do they have any other types of cuisine there? Oh, another question! Are there many foreign students in Hainan?

[Mouseneb]

I think Jason is right on the money with his ranking. Most people come to PLS but don't stay there long. Many of them end up at Hainan University instead. Haidian Dao is a great location and my husband and I live close to Hainan University. We'd love to show you around when you get here, send me a message!

~Nicki Johnson

[jasoninchina]

@studychinese: In terms of cuisine, Hainan will of course have a variety of cuisines from other parts of China. In addition to that, you will find Japanese and Korean food. There are a plethora of cafe's which will have some western-style options, but the only legitimate "western food" can be found at McDonalds, KFC, and Pizza Hut. The lack of options in Hainan can be a sore point for many traveler's. Of course, if you go to Sanya, you will find more options.

Foreigners in Hainan are not in abundance. The white face will beckon many stares, snickering, and some strange hello's(usually in that order). Thick skin required.

"Anything specific to Hainan that I should look out for?" Hainan has many things you should look out for. The fruit will likely be new for you. You may want to find a good street market and try all the fruit. There are lots of beaches (despite my previous statement), hot springs, etc. Many vacation spots outside Haikou: bo ao, san ya, etc.

@mouseneb: I hope to see you tonight at Coffee World :rolleyes:

[studychinese]

Many thanks again, guys.

I took a look at Hainan Normal University, but cannot find any course information at all... At least not for someone wanting a course of up to 12 weeks.

[jasoninchina]

At Hainan Normal University, they always have a variety of classes going and it's very common for students to come for just a few months. If I may ask, when are you coming? And, if you want to know specifics, I would suggest contacting them directly. I don't think there website says much.

[studychinese]

Hi, Jason.

I am just tying up a few loose ends with my life, but I am thinking December or January. When you say that HNU was convenient, what did you mean by that?

[jasoninchina]

I meant convenient for me because I live right next to it. However, I suppose you could also make the case that the school is situated in a convenient location. Most things you will need will be within walking distance. But then again, that might be said of any place in China. :-)

[Ridgewell]

Hi!

Do you know if it's possible to arrive at Hainan University at any time, or only specific dates (beginning of the semester) ?

Thanks

[Zach_Attack]

Hey I was wondering if you guys know any place who do chinese tutoring on the weekends in haikou?

[BenA]

Hi,

I am currently learning Chinese in Beijing, and I plan to move to Hainan at the end of the current semester and continue my Chinese studies for additional 8-10 weeks.

my Chinese level is Elementary.

I saw an old post above ranking the available programs at the following order:

1. Hainan University
2. Hainan Normal University
3. PLS
4. Hainan Yuda Foreign Language School. (www.yudafla.com)

 

I was leaning toward PLS (based on their web site), but I guess several people had mixed feelings about that school.

Is there any change? Any recent feednack?

[Chris Two Times]

Mouseneb and jasoninchina,

 

Greetings and many thanks for your on-the-ground input about studying in Hainan...most appreciated.

 

I am just wondering, how do you find the local dialect? Unintelligible or is it "not so bad"? Have you found people speaking clear putonghua to be common?

 

Also, is it true that the prices for daily living are relatively inexpensive?

 

Many thanks again for all of your valuable input for those of us considering different places to study in China. Most helpful!

 

Warm regards,

Chris Two Times

[Mouseneb]

Most people here use putonghua for daily communication, and while there are certainly some variations on accent, I think overall it's clear enough. Reasons are:

 

1. Every town, village, hill and possibly every bush has its own mutually unintelligible language. Seriously, the local language situation in Hainan is out of control. Which is good, because everybody has to use putonghua to talk to their neighbors from across the way. You will hear people speaking in local languages, but the majority of conversations you will hear in putonghua.

 

2. Large portions of the population come from other parts of China. Hainan is a very popular place for northerners (and that's all of you, from our perspective) to come to live and work. Those people all have to communicate using putonghua, since most everyone else won't speak the same local language they do. 

 

3. Hainan's major industry is tourism. The major source of tourists is mainland China. Again, they all have to communicate in putonghua.

 

Prices for daily living are on the rise across China, and Hainan is no exception. Some things are very cheap, others, not so much. Electricity prices here are high compared to other areas of China. Food prices can be as well, depends on where you shop and eat. Fresh fruit is abundant, cheap, and tasty though 

 

Some things referred to in this thread have changed a bit since they were written, re-reading it just now I think I should mention that in Haikou we have more western food options than we did a few years ago. Starbucks and Gusto Coffee, Pizza Fuego, many 5 star hotel dining options, and Corner's Deli have all opened here in the last several years and are popular with the expat crowd.

 

Other things to check out if you are coming to town and want to get connected:

 

Haikou International Dining Club: haikoudining.org

 

Haikou Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HaikouInEnglish

 

Official Hainan Tourism Website: http://en.visithainan.gov.cn/

 

Full disclosure - I'm the editor of Visit Hainan and one of the admins on the Haikou facebook page.

 

Hope this is helpful for anyone looking to come to Hainan!    

[Erika310389]

Hey there!

Has anyone been studying at PLS haikou recently? I am going there for the summer and wanted to ask how you guys liked it

And are they strict about attendance?^^Because I wanted to see all of Hainan and don't think there is enough time on the weekends

 

Thanks