Erasmus Experience in Beijing, China, by Oumeyma

Why did you choose to go to Beijing, China?

I had this opportunity to study in China. The Universities in Beijing are very well ranked.

How long is the scholarship? How much money do you receive to help you with living costs?

I stayed for one semester (Fall semester). The region where is my French university gave me 500 €. University help : 336 €.

What is the student lifestyle like in Beijing?

The student lifestyle is very good. The campus in Beijing Foreign Studies University is huge. You can find everything you want. And of course for foreign student, life is cheaper... The classrooms, the canteens, the dormitories are not far from each other. And there is a subway station at 10 minutes. The University has a lot of associations (photography, sports... ).

Would you recommend the city and the University of Beijing to other students?

Yes, definetely.

What is the food like?

Chinese food is very very very very good. But very very very very spicy... You have a lot of choices. I will put a post on my blog about it.

Did it cost you to find your accommodation in Beijing?

We found our accomodation at the campus. The university sent us a registration paper to book our rooms.

Unfortunetely, the rooms were not available when we arrived, but we were put in another dormitory. The good point is that it was much cheaper. We are 2 per room. (University : BFSU)

How much does it cost to live in Beijing?

We have paid every fee at the begining. About 2000 CYN per month if you are reasonable... But you can go over it, especially in October, brands make very good sales...

We save 60 CYN (8 €/10 $) (120CYN to share with the roomate) per month to pay the Wifi. Tip : buy your own router in a shop for 70 CYN (10 €/11 $). Otherwise you have to pay the one of the university and it is 230CYN (33 €/36 $).

Is the language easy to get to grips with? Are there language courses available at the University?

Yes. The only difficulty is that Chinese language has 4 tones... 4 ways to pronounce "a e i o u". Yes, there are language classes depending your level and your program.

What's the easiest or most economical way to travel to Beijing from your city?

Plane...

Where would you recommend to go on a night out in Beijing?

I will write an article about it... The place to be : Sanlitun. It's the "westerned" city. And there is a huge nighclub area. This is where everyone go at night.

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And for eating? Can you recommend some good restaurants in Beijing?

We often eat at the university. We have a lot of choices and it is very cheap. Look on the Beijinger website, it says everythig about it.

What good cultural sites are there to visit?

• The Forbidden City



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• The Temple of Heaven



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• The Summer Palace



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• The Hutongs



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• The National Center for the Performing arts



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The whole city is cultural, and the entrances are very cheap...

Is there any other advice that you could give to students going to Beijing in the future?

• Taxi : already 13 CYN in the counter. But it is very cheap. Be careful, take only the yellow taxis. The others are fake, expensive and you don't know where they could bring you...
• Fake money: do your withdrawals always in a Bank and take the receip. 100 and 50 CYN can be faked. And the receip is a proof.
• Pollution can be very high and deathly. In those cases, stay home.
• Don't yell if you see someone spitting in front of you... It is common here.
• Subway closes at 11pm.
• Nobody speaks English here... prepare pictures to show people.