How about living and
studying in China?
Being an international student in China is an
unforgettable and immensely rewarding experience. Not only will you be able to
witness firsthand China's historic transformation from an underdeveloped
country into a major global power, but you'll meet people from all over the
world too. Many international students take advantage of the two long holidays
in an academic year (each lasting one to two months) to travel around China and
Asia.
For most people, homesickness is an
unavoidable part of living abroad, but you'll almost certainly find that the
benefits vastly outweigh the costs, and like many foreigners before you, you
may well end up looking for excuses to stay in China!
Cost of Living
In Beijing, China's most expensive city, you
can live fairly comfortably off of US$15 a day. Renting an apartment costs
around US$250-350 a month and a meal at your local noodle joint won't set you
back more than a couple of dollars.
If you're on a tight budget, you'll find that
the salary from a part-time teaching job can go a long way in China. Also,
unless you have your heart set on living in Beijing or Shanghai, don't overlook
China's lesser-known cities where you may only have to pay US$150 a month for a
room on campus.
Transportation
Private car ownership in China is a relatively
recent phenomenon. This means it's extremely easy to get around in China
without a car. China has one of the world's most well-developed railway
systems, making it both convenient and affordable to travel around this vast
and fascinating country. Urban public transport systems are also efficient,
modern, and, in most cities, vastly superior to those in Western metropolises.
The only downside is, with so many people, it's not always easy to get a seat!
Cost of Transportation in Major
Cities
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Beijng
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Shanghai
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Guangzhou
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Subway
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About 30 US cents
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About 40-120 US cents
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About 40-120 US cents
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Bus
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10-20 US cents
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About 30 US cents
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About 20-40 US cents
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Taxi
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About 30 US cents per kilometer
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About 40 US cents per kilometer
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About 40 US cents per kilometer
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Language
Mandarin, or Putonghua, is the official language of China, and is
spoken throughout the country. Most Chinese people also speak the local dialect
of their hometown. Standard Mandarin is based on the Beijing dialect, but this
doesn't mean that you won't learn to speak “proper” Chinese if you study in
another part of the county. Your Chinese teacher will certainly speak standard
Mandarin (a prerequisite for teaching foreign students) and Beijing locals
speak with just as strong an accent as the locals anywhere else.
Learning Mandarin
You may have heard that Chinese is one of the
world's most difficult languages to learn, and indeed, many foreigners struggle
with pronunciation and writing characters. However, Chinese grammar is largely
straightforward and logical. For example, verbs do not conjugate and tenses can
be expressed simply by saying what time an action occurred. If you come to
China with no or minimal language skills, you might actually be surprised how
quickly you can pick up basic phrases.
Getting around without Mandarin
If you can't speak any Chinese, is it
difficult to get around in China? It is certainly possible to live in China
without speaking Chinese, but it can be a struggle and you will need plenty of
patience. Many young people especially college students speak English to a
reasonable level as English is taught from primary and middle school onwards.
Food
You might be surprised to find that the local
food in China is rather different from the Chinese food in your home country.
This is partly because recipes are adapted to suit local tastes, but also
because Chinese cuisine differs from region to region. Many Chinese restaurants
outside China serve Cantonese fare, which emphasizes light and balanced
flavors. Food in the north of China tends to be heavier, and locals favor
wheat-based staples like noodles, bread and dumplings over rice. Meanwhile, the
central provinces of Sichuan and Hunan and famed for their spicy dishes, while
the cuisine of the predominantly Muslim province of Xinjiang is halal.
Regardless of where you choose to study in China, regional cuisines from across
the country can be found in any Chinese city.
International food is also widely available;
the bigger the city, the wider the variety. Japanese and Korean restaurants are
particularly popular in China, as are Western fast food chains like KFC and
McDonald’s. Vegetarianism is not widely practiced in China but Buddhist
restaurants do exist and you can always find meat-free options on a Chinese
menu.
Cost
Eating out in China is very affordable. A meal
at the university canteen, a small local restaurant or a fast food chain
typically costs between 5-25RMB (roughly US$1-4). Mid-range dining options
(25-45 RMB, US$4-7) include both Chinese and international cuisine.
Daily Products
Daily products in China are very affordable.
All universities have convenience stores inside or nearby , where you can buy
your basic necessities.
Usually, a good pair of jeans costs around 20
dollars, while a suit may cost 30 dollars. A pair of socks costs 50 cents, a
book bag costs 3 dollars, 5 dollars for a T shirt. .You can buy all the things
you need at a very cheap price. Even a new 32-inch LCD TV costs less than 500
US dollars.
Accommodation
Most Chinese universities provide very good
and comfortable dormitories especially for international students. The
dormitories usually have private bathrooms for every room, TV, Internet access,
washing machine, refrigerators and even a small kitchen.
You can also choose to rent an apartment outside the university.
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