Study in China: Preparing for the China Study Abroad Trip

Local Time
In China, the official time is GMT +8; when it is noon in Beijing in summer, it is 6am in Paris (same day), 5am in London (same day), 12am in Washington (day before), and 2pm in Sydney (same day).

How to make calls in China
The International code for China is 86. The code for Beijing is 10. So, to call Beijing from New York, you need to dial 00 86 10 followed by the eight digit number.

When to do? If your schedule is flexible
Beijing has a continental climate: spring and autumn are the best seasons. During these intermediate seasons, which are quite short (about two months each), temperatures are mild and rainfall relatively low. In spring you can admire everywhere the first blossoms of the year (April-May). In autumn, trees take on magnificent red colours (September—October). Warning: in May a sandy wind can blow up from the Gobi Desert and sweep over the Beijing region. From June to September, summer is a byword for heat and humidity over many regions of China, with an often hazy sky and smog covering major areas of the city of Beijing. In winter (November—March) the climate is a bit harsh (—15°C to -2 °C), but it's dry cold, with clear blue skies.

It is not recommended to come to study in china (www.glchinese.com)during the two Chinese holidays: one week between mid January and mid February (corresponding to Chinese New Year), and the first week of October (National Day).

These two weeks are the "Golden Weeks". Chinese tourists are very large in number then and prices can vary up to four times the norm. Especially the Chinese staff in schools are on vacation during the Chinese New year, it’s not the right time to come in to study in china during that holiday.

Formalities
This is for information only. It is recommended that study in china foreign students contact the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in their own country for more recent details at the time of their visit.

Study in China Students from the EU, as well as Canada, must be in possession of a visa, issued by the Chinese Consulate, and a passport valid for at least six months after the date of departure from Chinese territory.

The tourist visa (suit for the short term-less than 3 moths students) is valid for thirty days or 3 months from the date of issue. The tourist visa can generally be extended for 30 days, handled by the Exit and Entry Management Section, Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau [address: No.2, Andingmen Dongdajie, Dongcheng District, Beijing, Tel (O10)84020101].
The visa does not cover entry to Tibet; this autonomous region is subject to a special permit.

No vaccination is compulsory for study in china students. It is however recommended to vaccinate against tetanus and polio. It is also advised to be vaccinated against diphtheria, typhoid, hepatitis A and B and meningitis.

To drive in China, study-in-china students must have a Chinese driving licence. International Driving Permits are not recognized.

Health
Illnesses
Intestinal problems caused by a change of diet occur frequently. Moreover, food is often a little spicy in China. Wash fruit and vegetables well as the risk of amoebiasis (dysentery) is high. As for avian flu, the Department of Health recommends traveler avoid all contact with poultry and birds: not to go to poultry farms or bird markets; avoid eating any food products that are raw or under- cooked, particularly meat and eggs, and wash your hands often in soap and water. Equally, Study-in-china students should avoid drinking tap water.

Medicine Kit
Put together a small first aid kit to include the main necessities: aspirin or paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tablets (such as Imodium), suntan cream, elastoplast, antiseptic lotion for minor injuries and mosquito spray.

Medical Service
First Aid—Peking Union offers a medical centre capable of supporting the best care. In case of any serious problems, arrange repatriation.

Do not hesitate to contact hotel reception or that of a major hotel to be understood by the doctor.

Hospitals—Peking University Medical College Hospital, in Beijing. Tel (O10)65295153. Do not hesitate to contact the panel doctor of your Embassy or the nearest Consulate;

Pharmacies—Bring your usual medicines, but be aware that excellent medicines are available locally; the Chinese pharmacopoeia based on herbs offers effective remedies. Most chemists have available both western medicines and traditional medicine products.

Doctors—There are doctors of both traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine in hospitals. With a single call, the Consulate can give you a list of doctors regularly used by expats. In any emergency dial 120.

Insurance
Check with your insurer that you are covered whilst study abroad, and in China in particular. If study-in-china students travel with a tour operator, check that insurance assistance/repatriation is included in the cost of your staying.

Currency
The monetary unit is Renminbi (人民币literally "peopIe`s money") or yuan (CNY, RMB or ￥), divided into 10 jiao. Its exchange rate is linked to a basket of currencies based mainly on the USD, the EUR, CHF and so on. In July 2011, 1 US Dollar was equivalent to 6.443 yuan, 1 Euro was equivalent to 9.32 yuan. The Chinese do not often use the term "yuan"( 元 ) in ordinary speech: they'd rather use "kuai" (块 , literally "monetary unit"); in the same way they talk of "mao"(毛) to indicate "jiao" (%角, literally "one tenth of a unit").

Exchange
You can only change Chinese currency in China, but it is now possible to buy yuan outside the country in small quantities: check with your bank before you come to study in china or at a bureau of change to find out if they have any in stock. In China you can exchange your foreign currency in bank branches, at airports or in hotels (where the rate of tax is higher). To find out the rate, check the website www(dot)xe(dot)com.

When you buy yuan, look after the receipt: it will allow you eventually to change back the remaining yuan when you leave after your study abroad in china, up to half of the initial sum exchanged. Have your passport with you.

Traveller cheques
Very useful to prevent theft, travellers cheques in foreign currencies can be converted into yuan at all Exchanges (look for the sign "Change"). American Express travellers cheques let you claim a refund within 24 hours in case of theft and do not have an expiry date. Don’t forget to sign your cheques once you receive them.

Credit Card
Automatic cash machines, indicated in China by "ATM" (for Automatic Teller Machine), are widespread, but don’t necessarily accept all foreign credit cards: check the name of your card. Visa, Premier, Cirrus, PLUS or Maestro are generally the most accepted. A large proportion of hotels and restaurants accept equally payments by card.

Consider asking your provider for the number to call from abroad to report lost or stolen cards. Cash withdrawal is much more attractive from an ATM than at the counter: the commission rate fixed by your bank is often less (check with your study in china program advisor).

Things to take with you to study abroad in China
Clothes- In summer, reckon on light clothes (cotton rather than synthetic), and in spring and autumn take a few warm clothes as well as seasonal outfits. In winter you’d better take woollen jumpers, gloves, hat, windbreaker and warm socks.

There are no particular dress codes for visiting religious places, a large amount of tolerance being exercised. Nevertheless, avoid extravagant behaviour and respect silence.
Making gifts locally- In no matter what situation, Chinese will not hesitate to help, and always with a smile. So think about taking with you a few small items from your country. They will know how to show appreciation for the gesture, even if they may refuse first time, as is the general rule in China.