Which university should I study at?

[chinesekitten]

I'm currently planning to go to China. I want to study at a chinese university for one semster. I've already heard about the famous and very good universities like in Beijing and Shanghai, but it's more likely that a different one would take me, that's why I want to apply for different universities. (I'm applying for a scholarship, so I have to choose three)

 

Of course I want to study at a good university, in wich I'll be accepted and integrated. A beautiful and cultural environment would also be nice, hence I'm also going to China for it's culture. I also want to be somewere east - not like Xinjiang or so..

 

Maybe someone already experienced semster in China and know's stuff about universities. Thanks for every tipp and help.

 

[JustinJJ]

To be honest I don't think the university makes any difference, it's mainly about how many hours you spend studying Chinese and a good proportion of your study you should be doing yourself or with Chinese friends.

 

I agree that it's good to be in places other than Beijing and Shanghai. Perhaps you should look at a city in the North East of China because the dialects will be closer to standard mandarin. You could think about Dongbei. Other cities are great, but the dialect/accent might differ more from the standard which will confuse you.

[英泰inte]

Zhejiang university: A university in Hangzhou with lots of green trees and gardens nearby. Lots of internationals and Chinese study here so you would definitely fit in.

 

Nanjing University: A university in Nanjing also with many trees. Nanjing is bigger than Hangzhou, but there's lots of history and ancient buildings in Nanjing because it used to be the capital of China ever since the warring states period. It also has very many international students

 

Xiamen University: A university in Xiamen. There's a little more Taiwanese-ish cultural influence down there, and the weather is warmer so you might be more comfortable walking/studying outside next to the palm trees on the beach.

 

Nankai university: A university in Tianjin. I dont know about Tianjin culture, or the environment, but I know Nankai and Tongji are very good universities.

 

Harbin institute of Technology: This school is in Harbin. If dialect bothers you, then it seems like this will be a good choice (like what JustinJJ said). But its so cold in the winter, and the air can get hazy from people using their indoors heating. But there is a famous colorful ice festival every winter.

i hope we could help you a little

[christineh]

You may look at Yanshan University, in Qinhuangdao, if you are worried about acceptance. It doesn't have very many international students, but seems to be growing their program and eager for more, so it may be easier than other colleges to get into. I came across the opportunity to study at Yanshan, through it's relationship with my school at the time, so it was the only school I applied to. In hindsight, I do wish I had looked at more, but I think it might be a good opportunity for others, that they don't know about.

 

However, there also aren't many foreigners in the city, and it's a smaller city, so it's more challenging if you don't know much Chinese. But, as far as culture goes, that makes it very authentic with a lot less Western influences than other cities. In fact, there are more Russian influences than European or American. It can be a little cold and brown in the winter, but in the summer, it's really pleasant and right on the ocean. There are many beautiful parks and part of the great wall to see. Plus, Beijing is only 2 hours away by the high-speed train, so it's easier to travel in and out of China than many other cities. 

[chinesekitten]

@christineh I really like to know more about Yanshan University. What you said sounds good to me I like it challenging and authentic. Could you tell me a bit more about student life and stuff? Thanks!!

[christineh]

My experience has been really mixed, but many of the other students seem generally happier. I'm shy by nature, so the attention, even positive, I get as a foreigner isn't always something I'm comfortable with, but I can recognize that a more outgoing person would probably have a better experience.

 

By Chinese standards, Qinhuangdao is a tiny backwater city, but it's still a city with upwards of 2 million people, so there are some "luxuries" like a Starbucks (which is only 5 months old), Tesco, Carrefour, and lots of KFC's. The development is all very new, and there's construction everywhere (though I hear this is a staple of China). So, it's very easy to find more authentic Chinese food, and experiences, but like others have said, a lot of your experience will be what you make it. Personally, I'll admit, I've sought out Western comforts in a lot of areas, but I've also had some meals with local families in their homes, and regularly to restaurants, where I can't order a pizza or fried potatoes. I've tried to balance them, but people could easily swing either way. 

 

What are you curious about in terms of student life?

It's fairly easy to make Chinese friends, as there are so few foreigners, so braver souls will approach you. This is both good, because you can make friends easily, but it's also bad, because you're not always sure who is genuine. Plus, there's lots of students that are too shy or intimidated, by foreigners even if you approach them, (and it's not just the language barrier) which can be difficult, if you're, say, lost on campus. If you're non-white, this might be even more of a problem. 

 

There aren't any English clubs that I'm aware of, and no interaction between the International Students Office and the Foreign Language Departments, (and they're located really far from each other, on different halves of campus) though. There's tons of other student associations, but my Chinese isn't good enough to really find out more information, let alone join any. 

 

The curfew for international students is 11:00 pm, and we're locked in (or out) of our living area, which is frustrating, especially on weekends. But, as far as social life in Qinhuangdao, though, there isn't much offered late after about 8pm. Recently, my friends and I have taken up introducing ourselves to any foreigners we stumble across while we're out and about, (which is, like, 3, so far) and they have some places they socialize after hours, but they've expressed that the locals just don't seem to, unless they're more shady activities. As a female, I'm also told a lot, even by Chinese friends, "girls don't do that." for everything from playing pool or any sports, to having a single beer with a meal. 

 

Still, as far as academics go, the classes are good. My program is an English-taught MBA program, but I had elementary Chinese with the other beginner international students last semester. I had fewer language classes than most of the others, but still learned enough to get around, and most of the students with the language-focused schedules seem to be able to have short conversations, and those that took it, passed the HSK2, if not 3. 

[Angelina]

The curfew for international students is 11:00 pm, and we're locked in (or out) of our living area, which is frustrating, especially on weekends. But, as far as social life in Qinhuangdao, though, there isn't much offered late after about 8pm.

 

Come to Hangzhou, you can do anything you want, no curfews. 

[SuatYazici]

@Angelina,

 

Hangzhou seems a very nice place from pictures. I also do not like curfews and limitations. But my budget is very tight as I will be paying for myself. How much would it cost to study Chinese for 1 year in Hangzhou?

 

 

 

Thxxx