Students don't have to live in dorms at BLCU, do they?

[teachinator]

Sorry to ask what is probably a repeat question, but I've just arrived for the 12-week course at BLCU and I noticed that the admission notice says that the first step in registration is to go the housing office and pay the housing fee. That could be taken to mean that you must live in BLCU housing, but that's not true, is it? Students can live wherever they choose -- correct? I was planning to try to get a room at the International Students Center.

While I'm asking, what about eating at BLCU? If I don't live there, can I still eat in the student cafeterias by showing my student card?

Thanks for all the help!

[roddy]

Of course it's a repeat question, you asked it before . . .

[Nibble]

In general, it's best to ask such questions a) to your contact at the university, and B) well in advance of arriving in China.

Anyway, you are not required to live on campus, although the main foreign students' building (#17, I think) is very nice and affordable. All students can eat at the cafeteria, and I've never seen anyone check to see if you even have a student card, anyway. Just FYI, you can put money onto a special food card that they give you to use when buying food there. It's not necessary, but it's certainly convenient.

I'm sure that whatever happens, you will enjoy your time there. BLCU is a very nice university , and I hope to go back there some day.