Listen to this articleVital Tips for Studying in China
Research reveals that China has become a renowned destination for foreign students today. The excellence and high standards of their colleges and universities as evidenced by the successful alumni have increased the demand for their education. Previously, the choice of management and technical courses was popular but today the growing interest in other disciplines has also been witnessed.
From the time China started to accommodate foreign students, the world has experienced a tremendous shift in students who have chosen to study in China and pursue their higher education in this lovely country. All these can be attributed to the study abroad trends or the numerous and thrilling opportunities in China. Being a graduate of Nanjing University, before I left for China for my studies I had to prepare in many ways for a big challenge that I knew was ahead of me. This article has highlighted some marvelous tips that helped me and will aid any person who has opted to study in China to cope and lead a smooth life as he/she studies.
My study in China could not have been made easier were it not for some important tips which prepared my mind in advance and made my life easier when I was in China. My curiosity to study in China sent me into searching for more information about China’s culture and learned that Chinese culture differs from mine enormously. In this way, I prepared myself in advance and this helped me to fit into their cultures fast. Learning about Chinese culture can be handy considering where one comes from as it will help one to change the mindset early. In my case, understanding the cultural differences enabled me to change my dress code, eating styles, and habits early which made me fit into theirs easily. Therefore, for foreign students planning to move there for studies, learning a bit of Chinese culture before one goes there will be beneficial. Otherwise, one can be misunderstood or offend people without knowing. Also, learning more about Chinese people and their behaviors and habits enabled me to make friends faster and conquer loneliness. Therefore, any foreign student planning to study in China must strive to understand their culture to make friends fast and avoid cultural shocks.
Further, when I got a chance to study in China, I understood that much is required from me. I took my time to plan, pack and prepare all the things that I was briefed to be vital. I must say, one can find the excitement of getting a chance to study in China and forget to choose the right program. But with proper guidelines on many factors, I picked my best program from the numerous programs that China was offering by then. I never focused on the field but also on the languages spoken, the location of the institution that I had in my mind, internship placement, etc. Therefore, foreign students must understand that picking the right program first with the mentioned factors in consideration makes things such as accommodation and travel arrangements easier.
Another important tip to have is to learn some of the languages. Being someone who values relationships, I understood the tough battle ahead of me in matters of communication and relationships if I don’t understand Chinese. Could have I persevered through loneliness? I had to do something! I decided to learn some basic phrases of Chinese by getting a Chinese phrasebook and learned the basics and this helped me to connect with people. The friends I made within a short period were baffled by my commitment to and love of the Chinese language. This way, I bonded with them fast and communication was easier. Therefore, anyone wishing to study in China must strive to know the basics of the Chinese language for easy communication.
Also, knowing one’s budget is another important thing that a student ought to be aware of. Having this knowledge, I had to set my budget before departure considering the duration I planned to reside in China. Before I left for China, I checked the costs in my chosen city and planned my budget accordingly. This enabled me to keep track of the budget. Of course, this didn’t imply that China was or is expensive but what if I spent all the money right away and was penniless in a foreign land? I imagined how traumatizing it could have been and avoided it. Familiarizing myself with the Chinese currency and foreign costs was another concern as I was used to Kenya shillings. So, a student planning to study in China must consider setting a budget beforehand and know the expenditures that await him /her in Chinese currency to avoid traumatizing situations.
Last but not least, any student planning to go to study in China must consider getting the recommended vaccines before one leaves. A few weeks before my departure, I learned the vaccines that I required before traveling for my four-year study in China considering also the places I had plans to visit. I made my schedule beforehand and took it to the doctor who vaccinated me. Therefore, it is prudent for a student planning to travel to China to arrange for the vaccines and get them before his/her departure.
Lastly, some students find themselves in a huge mess by taking their medication and forgetting to fill the prescriptions. Filling a prescription helps in case one runs out of medication while away. I filled the prescriptions for my allergy medication (drugs) and this helped me to get them whenever I needed them. As important as my health, I also carried gifts from home for my foreign friends as I value making friendships, and this indeed became a memorable and satisfying thing about my study in China. The same friends I brought gifts to showed me where to get my medicine (drugs) whenever I needed them. Most importantly, they have played a big role in my career through job connections. Therefore, students aspiring to study in China must understand that if they have health issues, filling prescriptions is helpful. Above all, connections and good relationships are key when one is away from home.
In a nutshell, studying abroad is an enormous step that became one of the best encounters that I got to live today. However, I had to prepare well for the big challenge that stared at me. The great tips I had, helped me conquer. I am now a proud alumni of Nanjing University. For this reason, any student planning to study in China needs this knowledge to help them adapt suitably.
