Guangxi University for Nationalities

[roddy]

This topic is for discussion and reviews of Guangxi University for Nationalities. Accommodation, courses, on-campus facilities and activities - anything to do with Guangxi University for Nationalities goes in here. If there's a lot of discussion about any one particular topic we might split it into a new thread and leave a link here.

[hkdude]

Well I've applied at Guangxi University . no information at all.. only few videos on youtube about dormitories. :/

[BXD]

Quote

Well I've applied at Guangxi University . no information at all.. only few videos on youtube about dormitories. ?

 

Hi @hkdude,

 

Did you go to the Guangxi University or the Guangxi University for Nationalities? The two are different!

Which program did you apply for? 

Did you finally get accepted?

 

I am planning to go there in December and would love to have more information.

Thanks!

[BXD]

Review for Guangxi University for Nationalities

This forum helped me quite a lot during my CIS Scholarship Application. So, it was only logical that I write a review to help others. 

 

Application Process

I applied for the 4-Week long Confucius Institute Scholarship (December 2018) at Guangxi University for Nationalities (GXUN) and thankfully, it was one of the few universities that accepted my application. Most of the Chinese Universities do not accept 4-Week Scholarship students in December due to the bad weather, however, being in the South, they accepted me. I got the contact details (E-mail) from the CIS website link of the University  . I was thus put in touch with the the office of "College of International Education" of the University. Since it was the CIS Scholarship, the application process was standard with all the documents (HSK Certificates, Degree Certificates etc.) uploaded directly on the CIS Website. I did not have to send any documents by post/ fax. The best part about the university was the swift communication. Like, seriously, they would reply to my e-mails within minutes, even if it was after office hours. And the speed and clarity of communication was one of the main reasons for keeping this University as my number one preference in the CIS Application.

 

I began my application around the first week of September, since 20 September was the deadline. Since it was CIS Scholarship, the documents I uploaded on the website were: 

 

1. Scanned Passport

2. Photograph

3. Certificates of Educational Qualification

4. Application Statement (Study Plan)

5. HSK and HSKK Test Reports

6. Reference Letter from Recommending Institution

 

Note: Number 5 and Number 6 are required only for CIS Applicants. These are not required for general applicants.

 

I received the results of the scholarship around 15 October (around 1 month later) and the University posted me the Admission Letter and JW202 right away. I received it around 1st week of November and got my Visa (X2) without any problem. So, I was really satisfied with the ease of application process at the University.

 

Courses and Funding  

Since I was a Scholarship student, I did not have to pay course fee. However, I did ask about it in the office. So they have the following programmes:

 

1 Year Program:

Course Fee: 12000 RMB

Dorm Fee   : 4 Person Room  :  3000 RMB per person per year (11-12 months)

                      2 Person Room   :  6000 RMB per person per year (11-12 months)

Registration Fee: 300 RMB

Insurance Fee: 700 RMB

Total Fee: 16000-19000 RMB

 

1 Semester Program:

Course Fee: 6000 RMB

Dorm Fee   : 4 Person Room  :  1500 RMB per person per semester (5-6 months)

                      2 Person Room   :  3000 RMB per person per semester (5-6 months)

Registration Fee: 300 RMB

Insurance Fee: 500 RMB

Total Fee: 8300-9800 RMB

 

1 Month Program:

Course Fee: 2000 RMB

Dorm Fee   : 4 Person Room  :  300 RMB per person per month

                      2 Person Room   :  600 RMB per person per month

Registration Fee: 300 RMB

Insurance Fee: 500 RMB

Total Fee: 3100-3400 RMB

 

Besides this they also have Degree Programs (Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D) with annual total fee ranging between 16000 to 29000 depending on the Program and Major.

There are also numerous University Scholarships especially for ASEAN students.

CIS Scholarship Applicants are generally given 2 Person Room.  

 

Arrival and Registration

Since I arrived a little late, I can't say much about this. However, what I liked was that they give you a student companion/ buddy to help you with everything once you arrive (or rather before you arrive, since they share the contact details of the person and his WeChat ID via e-mail beforehand.). He helps you in checking into dorms, registering for classes, getting your student ID, WEC (Water, Electricity and Canteen) Card, opening a bank account and even purchasing a sim card. Since, there is a market and a bank right in the campus, everything is quite convenient. All this gets done in a single day.  

 

Accomodation

Foreign students are only given the 留学生公寓 (International Student Apartments) which are quite good in comparison to the ones for local students. Since I was a Scholarship Student, the Dorm was included in the Scholarship so I did not have to pay anything. There are 4 person rooms and 2 person rooms (Scholarship Students are given 2 Person Rooms  ). And the first time I saw the room, I couldn't believe my eyes because it was so magnificent !!! Haha. There was the usual Refrigerator, Wardrobe, Washroom, 2 Study Tables, 2 Chairs. But in addition, there was a TV and even a Personal Washing Machine in each room. The only thing missing was a dryer. But since it is in South China, it is generally warmer and you can hang your clothes out to dry in the room balcony. But I personally prefer a Dryer. The mattresses and sheets are also provided by the University.

 

There is internet access but you do need to purchase the Wi-Fi Router. Another thing missing was a Common Room where the students can meet and interact, but that is missing in most Chinese Universities as I am told. Also, there was no kitchen, but again I do not know how to cook so it did not bother me. Moreover, there were plenty of options in the market of 小门 (Xiaomen)，which is a Foodie's Paradise. Haha. However, many students even cooked in the Dorms even though it was not allowed. There is no curfew, but after 11, only the residents and employees can enter the building. The dorms are quite secure as well. However, since the recycle bins are located on the first floor of the building (again pretty common in Chinese dorms), sometimes the students leave their trash in the hallway, which was something I did not like personally.

 

Classes, Classrooms and Teachers

So, after I arrived at the University, they asked me to try different classes to see which I was comfortable in. I ending up choosing the Intermediate Class, which was about HSK Level 4. There were 20 hours of classes every week split into 4 Courses. Reading (2 Classes of 2 Hours each), Speaking (2 Classes of 3 Hours each), Listening (2 Classes of 2 Hours each), Grammar and Writing (2 Classes of 3 Hours each). For each course, there was a separate teacher. There were 20-30 students in the classes. The textbook we used was "Developing Chinese" in the Grammar Class. In Reading and Listening Classes, we mainly used HSK 4 centric material. The teachers for each course were good. Following are other important points:

 

1. There were no electives even, at the intermediate level. All courses were mandatory. However, cultural activities were organized separately and quite frequently. During the one month I was there, we had a Poem Recitation Competition, a Singing Competition and an ASEAN Cultural Evening and Food Night and a visit to the attractions in Nanning.

2. There were few European/ American students. Most of the students were from ASEAN Countries (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) perhaps due to proximity and a few people from Africa. People from European Countries and America were comparatively few. Most students turn-up for classes, atleast they did in my courses.  

3. The classrooms were quite comfortable and the perfect size. They were equipped with Air-Conditioners and Heaters. Computer Systems and Projectors were installed in all classes. The View from Classrooms was also quite good, since the Campus is quite beautiful.

4. The Courses were interesting, especially the Grammar and Writing Class. Since, I was there only for a month, I did not have exams, but for the semester long programs, exams are held twice (mid-semester and final examination). Homework is given but it is not burdensome. So the classes are easy-going. There is not much pressure.  

 

Campus and Environment

The campus is a few miles away from the City Centre (朝阳广场）but since the University has its own metro station, the transportation is quite convenient. There is a campus bus as well. The Campus is quite green with trees all over the Campus and a Lake and Bridge at the center and a river just outside !!!! The Campus has 2 banks, along with a post office and even a super-market. There are 2 canteens for students and another one for the faculty. Also, due to the abundance of ASEAN students, it is quite easy to find halal food as well which is altogether a separate canteen. There is a beautiful Cafe serving Italian food in the Campus as well. But, most students prefer going to 小门 (a Food Street right next to the Campus) for the meals, which offers much more variety in terms of cuisine when compared to the canteens. Moreover, since most of the assistants helping the faculty in the office are locals, you get a chance to interact with native speakers quite often (besides the buddy who helps you with things on your arrival). There are other events like "English Corner" to promote the same.

 

Cost of Living and Budgeting

Even though Nanning is the capital of Guangxi Autonomous Region, it is not much expensive compared to Beijing and Shanghai. Since my Tuition and Accomodation were already covered by the Scholarship, I only had to pay for living expenses and travel. At most tourist attractions, tickets are cheaper or even free if you have a student card, so do carry it always. You even get a discount at Pizza Hut with that Card !!!! All and all I would say, 2500 RMB is more than enough for the monthly expenses.

[edelweis]

1 hour ago, BXD said:

we had a Poem Recitation Competition

so did you recite a poem? which one?

 

1 hour ago, BXD said:

a Singing Competition

did you sing a song? which one?

 

good job on the review, very interesting.

[BXD]

Hi @edelweis

 

I did not take part in the Poem Recital.

 

But I did participate in the Singing Competition even tough I am a bad singer.

 

Thanks for your feedback on the review. XD