Anyone for BNU Fall 2007?

[Jamoldo]

Scourge, I'll reply because I like to help out and because I like typing a lot ;)

I've stayed in Lanhui (for 4 days before switching to Xinsong), its far from classes and that's a long 10 minute walk in the winter. I'd move ASAP, I personally like Xinsong a lot. The rooms are a little smaller, but they're much nicer, newer and close to classes.

Phones are GSM, which means sim cards. I've written an exhaustive post on how I buy mobile phones at the second hand market (it can be grueling, but I love bargaining and usually the stuff I get is new, read: off the back of the truck for huge discounts).

You can get sim cards at newsstands, though I would advise against it. They're cheap but you'll get a crappy plan, and there are TONS of plans with intricacies no one would even think of. Its why after 1 year with a crappy sim card, I'm going to get another one.

Can't leave your stuff there unless you pay for the room over Chinese New Year. Find friends with apartments (you will) and store stuff there.

FYI, I don't think Adrian will be there this fall, unless he's changed his mind, which would be pretty awesome.

[adrianlondon]

I don't think Adrian will be there this fall, unless he's changed his mind, which would be pretty awesome.

Unfortunately, I'm not awesome. I've got a good IT contract back in London and I'm replenishing my bank account after my last 6 month "jolly" in Beijing last year. My plan is to be there Septemebr 2008 - that's right, as soon as the Olympics is over.

Back on thread ... a 10 minute walk is fine, and it's next to the canteens (which I really enjoyed but no one else seemed to).

[scourgeofgod]

Thanks again guys. I feel better about myself. Bummer that I can't meet Adrian, though I might stay a little longer in China after the semester's over.

Now I'm off to explore the inner bowels of this Web site so that I can escape further chastisement from the admins.

[barb_punk]

Hi!

I'm so happy I managed to stumble upon this forum while actively searching for stuff regarding BNU. I'm going to be there for a year starting this fall, as a language student. According to my friend, the best dorms are in No. 2, No. 3 and Xinsong.

But I'm having a bit of a problem with the online room reservation. How did you guys do yours? Because I can't access mine. Would you happen to know if government scholarship holders are not allowed access?

Jamoldo: Are there any good jogging trails in BNU?

Also, for people who do not know how to ride a bike (yup, that's me), am I totally in trouble?

Thanks! Hope to meet you guys there this September.

[adrianlondon]

government scholarship holders are not allowed access

That's correct. It's all budgeted for and you'll be allocated a room. Not sure where; they should tell you obviously!

Most foreigners don't cycle, or they buy a bike, and then don't use it. You'll be fine. Once you get your student card and student bus pass, the price of a bus ticket is close to free. Cabs aren't too expensive, and the BNU campus is all walkable.

[heifeng]

Most foreigners don't cycle, or they buy a bike, and then don't use it

ohh, if that's the case if any of you BNU'ers want to sell your bike, then PM me...I'm near BNU and been on the lookout for a used bike...

Oh, yeah welcome to Beijing, when you get here:mrgreen:

[barb_punk]

adrian: thanks for clarifying that. i'm gonna be calling them up to verify my status. hopefully i can get into no. 3.

re the bike thing. oh thank god, i thought that i'd completely screwed since i wouldn't know how to pedal a bike to save my life.

thanks for the welcome heifeng! i'm pretty excited about it.

[barb_punk]

oh yeah, totally forgot to ask this. the reminders note that came with the admission notice stated that there's a free pick-up service from sept 2-5; however, sept 2 is a sunday. does anyone know if the dorms are accepting students on that sunday? or do we need to stay in a hotel first then move in on the 3rd (monday)? i know it's a dorky question but i've had experience when i studied in france stating that we have to arrive between monday to friday since they're closed saturday and sunday.

also, the free pick-up service online doesn't seem to have the fall 2007 link to it. all i can see is the spring 2007 pick-up link, which, understandably, doesn't work anymore.

thanks!

[adrianlondon]

China tends to run 7 days a week. All the dorms are staffed every day - reception, cleaners etc - every day is the same to them. Just be grateful BNU don't run Saturday or Sunday classes!

[Ursula]

Hi! I'm also staying in BNU for a year I've been already there for one semester (Sep 06 to Jan 07).

Adrian, what's that about student bus pass? :o Never heard of it!! (or is it that card you can refill and use in the bus and in the underground?).

barb_punk, I've also received a government scholarship and in my admission notice it says I'm in dorm #1. I don't like that dorm because there aren't single rooms so I'll try to change =)

Advice: if you want to stay in dorm #2 ask for a room oriented to the street and not to the school behind... there are children every day and at all times, screaming and running and dancing, and doing gymnastics at 7am every Monday morning!!! xD

[cliveloughlin]

Hi there

I've heard about the student bus pass as well - can international students get it? Just checking...I hope to live close enough to the Uni not to need one!

Any one know of a two-bedroom house going around JiShuiTan or Xiao Xi Tian area (about 2300 budget per month)? I'm going to be looking to rent from around 5th Sept.

Is there such a thing as an international students club at BNU? It would be cool to meet up with some of you guys at the start. I guess it won't be so easy as some of us will be in degree classes, others in language classes...

Thanks a lot for all your help - especially Jamolo and Adrian

Cheers!

Cj

[adrianlondon]

I've heard about the student bus pass as well - can international students get it?

If you are studying at a recognised University in Beijing, you apply through them. I was at BNU last year, and it was no problem.

[Jamoldo]

I didn't take busses enough last year (i did the subway no discount with the card), so I'll be getting a pass this year myself. Barb, there are no jogging trails at Beishida the campus is a bit concrete, nothing like beida, but there is a running track and other athletic facilities. Plenty of gyms nearby (there has been info posted about it before). Also the air can be pretty damned smoggy at times (well quite often) and you won't want to jog in such conditions.. not outside anyhow.

As for dorms, if you did not already book D3 then you probably wont get it unless you arrive at Beishida early, get on the waitlist and literally camp out overnight in the lobby to get the last of the allotted rooms ditto D2 but not as much. Quite frankly the cost is nowhere near worth it, might as well rent an apartment in Kingdom Gardens or something for that price. I stayed in Xinsong (only drawback was that it was a double and it only has doubles) loved my room, the facilities, got lucky with two great roommates (different one each semester), a nice maid I could speak to and the lovely desk ladies who pulled enough strings for me when I needed it. In other words staff was great too. Xinsong won't be too tough to get though. Oh and they have classrooms where you can study and those have A/C And you can get on multiple wait lists at the same time, so do it or you'll be in Lanhui (read: 10 min walk from class minimum).

Clive just shoot me a pm and I'll give you my mobile number when I'm in Beijing (currently in Dalian). I'm sure there are foreign student clubs but probably dominated by Koreans and Japanese since tehy make up the bulk of foreign students, especially those who stay in Beijing for more than a semester or a year. Also get an agent for flats. Try to find a flatmate, studios in xiaoxitian are damned expensive for what you get. Then again so are one bedrooms, though some are very nice. I would also try to find people to deal with and cut agents out because quite frankly, many agents are scum. Clive unless your Chinese is supergood and I'm talking 3rd year at Beishida good or better (reading and writing, lots of Koreans can't speak if their lives depended on it) you'll be lumped in with other foreigners like me who are studying for a semester or a year. It's once you get to more advanced levels that it's just BA students, at least for foreigners who study Chinese as their major.

Barb, as for bus service, you can arrange that online. But honestly, its everyday and what you do is after you clear customs there will be about 1000 people standing outside of customs with signs and stuff. The Beishida sign (let's hope my memory is correct) should be in white with either blue or black type and a red border, professional looking, usually a woman holds it. Beijing Normal University Office of Foreign Student Affairs or something like that. Go to her (maybe a him this time) and even if you cant speak Chinese make it known you are studying at Beishida, they usually won't ask for any reciept or paper and they'll escort you to a seating area until enough other people come. Then they'll lead you to a bus/van and off you go! If that does not work then walk outside stand in the official taxi line (avoid the touts who will try to rip you off, say "meter" when you get in and say "Beijing Shifan Daxue" or "Beishida" and you'll be on your way. Should be no more than 100 RMB. Or you can take a bus for 16 RMB which will drop you off at Third Ring Road near school (one stops at Beitaiping or Madian) but that will be a bit overwhelming after a long flight especially if you aren't used to the drill.

Urusula it'll be great to see you and your friend again, now if you all only didn't keep running away from us,or maybe it was just me ;) Don't think you can switch dorms for free. And they won't give you a discount since they are all run independantly. D1's not bad but it's certainly not ideal for those who want their privacy.

On a final note I too will be looking for a bike since i'll be living in an apartment this year. There are plenty of choices around, that's for sure. Adrian bought a nifty bike and used the hell out of it, I'll probably get a dumpy one like most of my friends... As much as I prefer walking and interacting with people on a daily basis going to and from school, the distance will just be too great. I also might be looking for a roommate with a friend of mine so if you're potentially interested let me know. No guarantees though.

wow this is a long post. If anyone has any more questions, please let me know and I'll try and answer them. Cheers

[scourgeofgod]

Jalmoldo, did you find the Korean and Japanese students at BNU friendly? I've heard some pretty unflattering things about the Korean students in Beijing both on this site and from my friends who have studied there.

[Jamoldo]

Regarding Korean and Japanese students... Let's start with this..

If you're from the US where do you study abroad? Usually in Europe (Paris, Rome etc). Usually with a group of other Americans or in classes with other Americans/foreigners. Who do you usually hang out with? Americans/foreigners. But almost always Americans from YOUR group. It's normal.

Now taking that into account, Koreans and Japanese are for a large part just like Americans studying in Europe. Some are serious, some take it as a joke, some come to drink and party etc... but they usually hang out with friends from their university/their countrymen because its easy. There's no awkwardness/language issue.

Ok enough zen/open mindedness from me. That being said, they can be especially cliquey. And in-furiatingly so, mostly Koreans. At Beishida, its mostly Korean with some Japanese. So usually the Japanese are pretty cool (in my experience) and welcome people to hang out with them. The Koreans are tough to get into because they have so many Korean restaurants/facilities (wudaokou cough cough) and kinda form into groups early enough, but there are so many that there will naturally be some of them who are willing to be open to hanging out.

At the same time English speakers are pretty cliquey too. The SOAS types especially and for the same reasons I've mentioned above, but they usually stick to SOAS and not other English speakers... Lots of people don't like them, though I had some good friends from SOAS. Almost all of my friends could speak English/were from English speaking nations. It's something I could not avoid and unlike others before me, I was not just going to dump them to make friends so I could speak Chinese.

[barb_punk]

adrian: haha! that's great. actually, my mom and i managed to call up bnu and ask about the sept 2 thing. unlike me, my mom's chinese is so great she can pass for a native. and yeah, i'll probably just get the student bus pass since that's my only hope to travel around beijing. i just hope that they have really good maps and time schedules for the buses. i think i got spoiled by the fantastic system in france.

ursula: hey! nice to meet a fellow scholarship holder. when my mom and i called up bnu, wang laoshi (the person in charge of scholarship holders) said that we can change dorms if we don't like dorm 1. it's just that there's an additional charge since the other dorms are nicer or newer or something. personally, i'm gunning for dorm 3 or xinsong. dorm 2 might not be convenient for me since, according to the map, it's outside the campus and it looks like you'll have to use an overpass to get to it. and jamoldo's all praise about xinsong. haha! i'm just crossing my fingers that everything works out for me.

clive: regarding the international students club- i know! i really want to get to know you guys and other foreign students when i get to beijing. if they don't have enough activities, maybe we can set up a meet between the forum peeps and have dinner or something. what do you think, guys?

jamoldo: haha! i don't really jog a lot but i was hoping to pick it up again while i'm in bnu and have time to spare. but as you said, the smog can be a pain so i'm seriously reconsidering my plans... thanks for the advice regarding the staff and facilities at xinsong. at least i'll have more choices, so to speak. i just hope i get a great roommate like you did. regarding the bus service, thanks for the info! when my mom and i called up bnu, they said that the pick-up service link online will be available on aug 10 so i'll just wait for that. and i'm definitely not going for the public bus even if it's cheap. i don't think i can survive that with my luggages.

i'm probably arriving at beijing by september 2. what about you guys?

[Jamoldo]

Barb the public bus is pretty much a coach bus its not bad at all. But for a first time especially after a long flight, forget it. I've used it numerous times though. Also I've never seen a bus map of Beijing. I am sure there is one but its probably all in Chinese. Your best bet is to look at the signs and to ask around, people are helpful. Once you know about 3-6 lines your knowledge of other lines will increase quickly...

Should be back in town late August. I might even be on the BNU bus if I can find it upon my arrival.

[roddy]

i just hope that they have really good maps and time schedules for the buses. i think i got spoiled by the fantastic system in france.

You can get incredibly detailed maps of the bus system in Chinese, but they can be very overwhelming. Worth having though, just pick up a 交通地图 from the newspaper stall at the east gate of BNU. The guy there might even be playing his erhu. See also this.

Destinations are listed in Chinese on the bus stop and if you have a map and point at wherever you want to go people will help you. The bus stops will also list the first and last buses, and I think frequency. The major routes run very often.

If you want to take the airport bus to BNU (I'd recommend the pick-up service or a taxi first time though, especially with luggage) have a look at this map. You want line 4 (terminates Gongzhufen), and to get off at Beitaipingzhuang. When you get off you need to find the Beitaipingzhuang flyover (I think you need to backtrack a little, there's a KFC at the north-west corner) and head south until you see BNU on your right (look for the McDonalds. Fast food restaurants - poor food, great landmarks).

[adrianlondon]

I've never seen a bus map of Beijing

I have one. It was around 4y and it's fantastic. I assume this is the one Roddy is referring to. I got it from the maps section of the Wangfujing bookstore. As you enter the shop, there's a table on the left full of cheap car atlases, maps etc and it's there.

Takes a while to get used to as there are millions of buses and the booklet has no pinyin, but if you're planning on using buses a lot then I'd recommend giving it a go.

[gougou]

For printed maps, refer to this thread. It's outdated, but with a bit of luck they have a new edition of those maps out.

For online versions, you might want to have a look at this thread, which mentions quite a wealth of them, many of which offer bus lookup.

Don't expect any timetables though. Sometimes you'll be waiting half an hour for your bus only to then have three of them arriving bumper to bumper.