Beijing Normal University - Spring 2007

[yong27]

Hi,

I originally enrolled in December for the Chinese language programme at Tsinghua, but after arriving in Beijing and literally given a great flat in Dongzhimen, I would now like to find something a little closer. BNU seems like a good choice.

It's pretty hard to get any info from their student office, so any advice/info from forum members would be great!

1) Is it too late (today is Feb 27) to just approach BNU and enrol in the chinese language programme (surely they will not turn down cold hard cash).

2) What would I need to take along with me (apart from cash)?

3) Has anyone had any recent experience of BNU, and how did you find it?

Would love to meet anyone else planning on going to BNU this semester. Hopefully I'll be there as well!

[enceeno]

1) Is it too late (today is Feb 27) to just approach BNU and enrol in the chinese language programme (surely they will not turn down cold hard cash).

- no..I dont' think it is too late...I remember a few people last semester applying a few weeks before..dont' see why you can't approach them now

2) What would I need to take along with me (apart from cash)?

- health insurance indicating you are covered for the period of study, valid physical examination if you plan on studying for a year, (Admission letter), temporary residence permit/residence permit ...I think that is is but there might be a couple more..I forget

3) Has anyone had any recent experience of BNU, and how did you find it?

- I am at BNU now...I went the 1st semester so far. I think that if you want to really develop you ability to write and read this is the school. They focus on that very much. That being said, you will develop in your speaking but that will be much on your outside efforts (eg finding language partners, movies etc). The homework can range. I know in some sections of the same level there was a decent amount of homework, and others a lot. Some homework exerciese I found to be repetitive, but that is how the chinese teach I think.

What else do you want to know?

Would love to meet anyone else planning on going to BNU this semester. Hopefully I'll be there as well!

[adrianlondon]

BNU can be quite strict; they're usually fully booked. However, turning up and asking won't waste too much time, so go do it.

You'll need more than just cash, but it would be worth finding out if there are any places left before you waste time collecting documentation - and if they say yes, ask them what they need.

They'll sell you insurance if you don't have it. It's just medical insurance but it's cheap enough.

You'll need loads of little passport-sized photos of yourself. You'll gradually get them back as the semester progresses! The student ID card, graduation certificate etc all have one of your li'l photos stuck to it.

You need some residence thingy; I'm always vague on this as I simply stayed at "Di San" and let the Uni take care of it all.