Local informationStudent life in China differs in comparison to their compatriots in the fact that the majority of the students live on campuses where discipline rules; it is a good environment for those who like order and flawless organization. Most Chinese students who live on campus live in university residencies in rooms shared with 4 to 6 other students. These rooms are supplied by the university at a modest price. Students are encouraged live in university residencies. In these residencies, students benefit from a rigorous structure that enables them to be able to study in the best conditions: The day begins at 7:00 in the morning with music from the university radio station that is broadcast through loud speakers. It is time to get up for the morning exercises (foreign students are not obliged to participate). The exercises last aroun d 15 to 20 minutes, and then afterwards everyone is free to do as they like before morning classes: read, have breakfast, or even go for a jog, etc. The first class starts at 8:00 and is 1 hour and 30 minutes long and normally includes a 10 minute break. From 10:00 to 12:00 the students attend their second class of the morning. From 12 to either 13:30 or 14:00 it is lunchtime, and one can eat at the university restaurant where the meals are not very expensive. This is the time to relax. In the afternoon the students will have two more classes that are 45 minutes each. From 17:00 to 18:00 it is time for dinner. Then afterwards it is your own time: to go to the library, to the cybercafe, listen to conferences or lectures. At 23:00 the electricity is cut off in the dormitories until the following next morning. Climate and seasons:
China is situated mainly in the northern temperate zone. The more populated regions in the south-east are affected by monsoons from September/October to March/April. Due to its extensive territory and complex topography, great differences in climates are noticeable in China. The north-eastern area does not experience a summer, whereas Hainan Island (in the south facing the Vietnamese coast) does not experience a winter and is under a tropical climate. Mount Everest, the highest summit in China, through to Tibet is covered by snow throughout the year. The plateau of Yunan-Guizhou, in the region of the valleys of Mekong and Chang Jian, is a very pleasant region due to its spring-like temperatures all year round. Distances:
It is unnecessary to draw a picture, the country is immense and you will need many hazardous days to travel across it. Nevertheless, the railway system is relatively efficient, as well as the national airline system. In addition, the main university cities (notably Peking and Shanghai) are concentrated in a fairly modest area in relation to the size of the country. Useful information:
Currency: the Chinese Renmimbi Yuan CNY exchange rate: 1 CNY = US $0.12 = 0.141 Euros (exchange rate on June 14th 2001).
Most of the big hotels and department stores accept international credit cards. Of course you can be sure to pay 2 or 3 times more in these tourist places than if you shopped in the places where credit cards are not accepted! In most banks it is possible to withdraw cash with a credit card. It is not advised to change money on the black market, unless you know how to negotiate within this activity. A suggestion for foreign students: it is better to exchange money with Chinese students that you know, it is often in this way that the best deals are made! Telephone: country code- 86. To make phone calls, public phone booths that accept phone cards are becoming more common. If you cannot find one you can always go to a post office or a police station to make a call.