Random BLCU Questions

[StoneJames]

Hey, this is a most interesting chain of infomation and questions concerning the BLCU. I hope you don't mind if I participate.

Is the application process to the BLCU difficult?

I currently have my sights on BLCU's summer program for four intensive weeks. However, while I'll try not to worry about the accom, is the University itself any good in teaching Chinese? I understand that there are many other universities in this area of Beijing thus would the BLCU rank highly among them? Also, doe sit have

a pleasant atmosphere?

Does the BLCU on weeks ends offer trips for foreign students to see places like the Great Wall or Guided tours of Tiannamen Square and so forth...

Is their pool in the area? Would running along the streets be wise or are there forests near by or is it advised against due to pollution etc...?

Lastly, for those who have weak and sensitive stomachs, need one to be prudent in what one eats? :S

Cheers StoneJames

[jessitaylor]

taking these individually...

1) "Is the application process to the BLCU difficult?" Its not particularly difficult, you wire application fee and send off application form. If they have room (which is likely) theyll accept you. they actually got back to me amazingly quickly

2) is the University itself any good in teaching Chinese? as with anything you are going to get back what you put into it. if you attend class, do any work set by the teacher and learn the characters then you will improve. i think that many other places use blcu materials anyway. realistically, if you were doing a degree then tsinghua, beida are more prestigious but for a short term course it doesnt make a huge amount of difference. and blcu is arguably more foreigner friendly. in terms of comparitive class sizes etc im not sure but, ive studied there for 9 weeks before and my chinese was definitely better (then again would be fairly difficult not to have improved at all...... )

as for accom, i think it just tends to sort itself out. well at least im hoping so because im going in a couple of weeks and i havent a clue where im living.

3) Also, doe sit have a pleasant atmosphere? i think its reasonably friendly, campus is quite nice so in my opinion yes

4) Does the BLCU on weeks ends offer trips for foreign students to see places like the Great Wall or Guided tours of Tiannamen Square and so fort? there are definitely trips to the great wall, im not sure where else. plus when you make friends its quite nice to explore the city together. there are plenty of companies outside of uni that can arrange trips if you prefer

5) Is their pool in the area? er not a clue., anyone??

6) Would running along the streets be wise or are there forests near by or is it advised against due to pollution etc...? i think there will most likely be pollution and sandstorms which will make running a little unpleasant, plus its pretty hot unless youre running late at night early in the morning

7) for those who have weak and sensitive stomachs, need one to be prudent in what one eats? often foreign food will upset peoples stomachs if they arent used to it, regardless of the type of restauarant etc. obviously stick to cleaner looking places, and if things start to go a bit wrong eat very plain food for a couple of days. you could try and go for a more vegetarian diet if meat abroad isnt a good idea, but personally i didnt have any major problems there foodwise. take some immodium and youll be fine!

jess

[gilbert elliott]

There is an indoor 50m pool in the "Run Run Shaw" gymnasium on the campus.

Infamously and tragically, a student drowned there (there are supposed to be lifesavers) this January (2007), whilst she was practising for her Physical Education swimming exam. But I wouldn't say the pool is especially dangerous for all that. Best time to swim is in the day as at night the pool tends to be crowded with locals who tend to bathe rather than swim.

There are other pools in the area, including a much better one at the Capital Sports University gymnasium, which is on the third ring road basically due south of BLCU. You have to do a notional medical inspection and join up, and also do a 400m swimming test if you want to swim on the deep water side.

At all Chinese pools you have to wear a swimming cap, but you can buy these at the pool.

[Dreamer]

there's a swimming pool also in Xjiao hotel which is just around the corner, aswell as in Huaqing Jia Yuan, which is more in the centre of Wudaokou