Sias International (xiyasi da xue) versus Wuhan da xue

[Goldmember]

Firstly, I'm a complete nooby here, but I have read many posts from members and so I want to say hi to all and amazing job keep it going. 

 

Now, I have been looking into an American owned private University called Sias International. The university is located in Xinzheng city within Zhengzhou, Henan. I have been unable to find ANY student reviews of ANY of the courses there. This might be due to the fact that the university targets mainly Chinese students for English and Western Business Bachelors. However, there is a Chinese language and culture course I like the look of, just hoping there is anyone out there that knows about the course, the staff, accommodation or just overall quality or personal experience. The Course is CHEAP compared to many similar Chinese University 1 year Language and culture courses but the accommodation as about the same, for a lot of places- e.g 8USD per day for a shared room. 

So if anyone knows ANYTHING about studying at this secretive private Institution, I would very much appreciate it. 

 

On the other hand, Wuhan University is very well known and has a long history, however what is it like today?  (2014) 

Anyone care to share recent experiences or Wuhan and the university, again, would much appreciate it, im stuck trying to decide which uni to go to. I heard that Wuhan has great night life and the HSK prep is really good, but I read a lot of negatives about accommodation and finding a room of your own.... Again what are your experiences?? 

 

 

Open to any advice and personal experience people! 

 

Thanks in advance  

[rustyyy]

I'm a Chinese. Wuhan U today is still among the best universities of China, well known to most Chinese, while this SIAS... never heard of it.  And Wuhan as a province capital is a more competitive city than Xinzheng (again, a city I never heard of...). Probably the most challenging problem in Wuhan is the weather. Wuhan is one of the hottest cities in China in summer. 

 

Though never been to either of the two schools, I would still definitely choose WUHAN U if not taking expenses into consideration. 

[Guest scooby]

Hi,

welcome to the forum.

 

True, it seems there isn't much on the Internet about the SIAS. I was able to find only how some teachers were complaining about this school in terms of working conditions, not actually opinion of students. 

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=27535

 

http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Sias-International-University-Reviews-E228484.htm

 

The situation with Wuhan is a bit better, because there are some users on this forum who have attended this school. You can check this one:

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/35576-wuhan-university/

 

And for academic life, check this one: (look for posts by Bunny 87)

http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/34883-so-how-was-your-first-day-of-classes/?p=259585

[Goldmember]

Thanks guys, 

I have a gf in Sias and from what she tells me the cafeteria food is great, the street food is your typical Henan street food, and the accommodation is cramped but has hot water heating and air con that works regularly. The wifi is a bit hit and miss sometimes, but I think this can be solved by buying your own router for your room.

I also got told by Sias college of Chinese language and culture, that the foreign students rooms are more luxurious and accustomed to ''westerners'', or so they say...

I understand that Sias has a good budget and the facilities are fantastic. The local city of Xinzheng is much like Dengfeng and I personally love Dengfeng, I used to go there every weekend to stuff face with jiao zi lol while I was training gong fu in Shaolin si. But, as a city like Xinzheng and Dengfeng can be great to experience that immersion and get solid practice with what youve picked up on the course, it really is quite boring from what ive heard. The coaches to Zhengzhou by the way are about 2-3 hours long...  you got to decide if that trip to a mcdonalds or that nightclub you love is worth the journey....  

The course and university seem too good to be true, especially as their tuition fees are so low and they make a point to brag about it on the website.

The University is also known to have the odd power cut now and then... something not quite right in the maintenance dept. 

All in all, I still dont know what to think, as there really is so little to go on, with no student reviews... International students of Sias (siyasi) shed some light our way would be much appreciated! 

 

 

Wuhan on the other hand is very prestigious, that I do know like russty said.   

Thanks scooby for the links, I have been reading up on bunny87's posts and the uni seems very disorganised... even chaotic, My Chinese is ok, I have a good level of listening and speaking, but I know next to no han zi, and I feel I would seriously struggle to keep up from what bunny has experienced. 

Also, as accommodation goes, that's a deal breaker for me, I need a comfortable environment to study out of class, I have read a lot of bad things about Wuhan uni accommodation, both booking and living there. 

How difficult is it to get into a rented flat close by? I hear the residence permit etc is a real btich to sort out...

 

As rustyyy said about the weather, I think I will be ok, I can acclimatise quite well. But the smog is another issue, I know air pollution in Wuhan is quite high and I hear from a lot of friends in Zhengzhou and Beijing, that air pollution amongst other things is really flaring up acne. I experienced a bit of this in Zhengzhou myself, may sound a bit ridiculous to factor into deciding where to go, but take it from me, it can really spoil a lot of things you shouldnt be worrying about.... 

[Lanchong]

ut, as a city like Xinzheng and Dengfeng can be great to experience that immersion and get solid practice with what youve picked up on the course, it really is quite boring from what ive heard.

Why do you think Xinzheng would be a good place for immersion? The locals' level of putonghua will be much lower than in bigger cities (like Wuhan). And the university is modelled on American universities, and is known locally for its English teaching, so good luck getting the students to converse with you in Chinese.

[Goldmember]

That's a good point Lanchong, I hadnt though about levels of putonghua in different cities... Im just going off my experience in Dengfeng. At sias according to my gf and friends there, they are quite lazy with English and only converse on the campus when speaking to foreign students from america etc. Yes the University is tailored to teaching English and American business very true. But to be fair, they have a whole college campus dedicated to teaching Chinese within the main grounds. 

I think the whole English orientated side of the University is a huge drawback though you are right. 

 

Got any info on studyin at or around Wuhan? I love the description of the City and it looks amazing, but what's the atmosphere like? I heard the locals are quite rude haha, not a deal-breaker for me though. 

[realmayo]

See: http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/44855-wuhan-any-decent-language-school-out-there/

[tooironic]

A Chinese friend of mine graduated from Sias in Zhengzhou, if you PM me I can send you his email and/or WeChat ID and you can ask him any questions you want.