Questions for people who have done it before

[chatfouz]

I am going to study at Wuhan University this September to study chinese. As of now I speak no chinse, and know nothing more honestly than to show up at teh school on sept 8th. I have never been to china. Honestly I dont know a bunch about the culture outside of Jackie chan movies. im sure it sounds silly to study when i know nothing but i saw it was 2000$ to study i figured, heck why not...

I was just looking for anyone with experience or advice or blogs or whatnot about studying in china. preferably wuhan university, but china is china. I have some pimsleur tapes from the library so i hope to learn a bit from that. but yes if anyone has blogs or advice or anything they can tell me I would love it.

[roddy]

This guy has just finished a stint in Wuhan (different university though) so a look through his posts might be helpful.

[ChineseOtto]

I never studied while in WuHan... but I have studied at two other universities!

Both of them were pricey but well worth it. The classes were great and help a lot with the fundementals of a new language! Beyong the classroom experience you will also be able to meet loads people and THAT is indespencible! You can't learn just as much from all the new people you meet as you can from your teacher.

For me, I spent most of my non-class time in coffee-bars and milk-tea houses with loads of people. I studied there on my own when there was no one to talk to and when with friends I practiced as much as possible! I carried flashcards around in my pocket and used them all the time (on the bus, in the cab, after a meal, walking down the street).

I am not fluent by any means but I do well and can hold my own. It's limitless if you put your mind to it! Just focus and remember what you are trying to do!