Life at a Chinese University

Life at a Chinese University is much different than that of an American one.  You'll find that in general, students will be much more naive about life than American students.  By 22 or 23 years old, many students will not even have had a boyfriend or girlfriend yet.  This is due to the much more traditional nature of Chinese culture.  The belief is that study comes first, and dating and marriage comes second.  Most often, Chinese will marry the first boyfriend or girlfriend they get, whereas in America or Europe, relationships between men and women are much more casual.

Many students work very hard to get into a Chinese University through high school.  The entrance exams are rigorous and designed to weed out those people that are not college material.  Once a student gets into a Chinese university, life becomes much easier for them.  Opposite to the West, students tend to work harder in high school, and less so in university.  It's still a lot of work, but much less so due to the fact the college entrace exams are behind them.

Though it's changing, most Chinese Universities have a "sage on the stage" model of teaching where the teacher lectures, and the students listen and take notes.  There is less student involvement in a Chinese classroom than a Western one.  With Western influence in educational practices, this is changing over time.

If you go to a Chinese University, find out what the living arrangements will be like.  In many Chinese Universities, you'll find dorm rooms with up to 6 people in them.  As a Westerner you may not be used to the living accomodations normally provided to Chinese students.

Here are some items you may want to ask any prospective Chinese universities you may be thinking about attending:

• What is the cost of tuition?
• What is the cost of room and board?
• What is your dormitory like?
• Will you be sharing a room with other people?
• What will your schedule be like?
• How far away are you from the center of town / entertainment?
• Is there a "waiban" - an assistant to foreign students?
• Does the university provide medical care?

We have provided a Chinese University directory that you can use to make contact and ask questions.