Relaxed Chinese Summer Program 2009

[Erbse]

Hi guys,

This summer I want to attend a summer program somewhere in China (1 or 2 months). Should be something relaxed, not too much homework. A city with nice teahouses and places to visit around. But not Beijing, that would be too stressful. Clean air would be appreciated as well. I have been in Yunnan and Sichuan before, so I want to have another province this time. Could be a smaller city as well. As long as there are 3 or 4 bars in the city, it's big enough for me.

And it should be possible to rent a room nearby the university or school, as I am annoyed with Chinese dormitories.

Recommendations?

[leeyah]

Try Qingdao: popular holiday resort, not too big either, enough places to hang out, Yellow Sea not too yellow (it's beautiful) and it's in Shandong so here's another province for you. Universities (and I suppose also language schools) organize excursions to nearby Qufu (Confucious' birthplace and the gorgeous Laoshan - now that's definitely worth it, plenty of fresh air and unpolluted nature!) Only thing is: the skies over the city aren't really blue (so much for clean air, but that's a common problem with most Chinese cities....)

As for summer language programs, all their levels are basic, homework? none really. Ideal place for relaxation, it'll certainly make you feel as if on holiday & here's a useful link for any other info you may need: http://www.thatsqingdao.com

[Erbse]

Qingdao, great idea!

My university courses are over late July... and in August there is the beer festival in Qingdao. Perfect timing. Maybe I will visit less of the ancient culture but check out the beer culture and go to the beach for relaxation the next day. Awesome.

Now I just need to figure out which school or university

Just checked that qingdao website, but the apartment offers all come without pictures. Hopefully I can find an suitable apartment for 1 month, but I really dislike dormitories that shut their door at midnight and staff that tells me to not bring girls at night into my room.

[fsutalltree]

Erbse,

If you're from the states, Florida State offers a 6 week program in Tianjin where you tour all around and take culture, language and business classes. They accept students from out of state too but I'm not sure about the price.

Tianjin is anything but a small city but It has a nice small town feel to it.

I had a really good time on this program and it was a really great way to be exposed to China for my first time. Can't wait to go back!

heres the site: http://international.fsu.edu/Types/College/China/China.aspx

[vr2nr]

I am in Dalian and it works for me. I go to a small school Taipei Language Institute. They have other branches so if you start with one set of books, it can easily transfer to Taipei, Beijing, Shanghai, I think even the U.S. for some locations. They could help with Visas, etc. They typically do one on one classes. and you can set the pace. The area they are in is pretty modern, and certainly less inundated with foreigners. Dalian weather is a lot like NJ so the summer would be a good time to be there.

And if you must, there is the local Starbucks, and many other late night coffee shops, all with Free WiFi.

Apartments go for around 300 or 400 US, and some are very flexible (like you can leave in the middle of the month, and come back later. My apartment, and most others that I have heard, have high speed internet access in the room. (e.g., I do video conferences back to the US).

The area is actually called Kaifaqu where the school is, but Dalian is a 25 minute train ride. Dalian also has a beer festival and both Dalian and Kaifaqu are by the beach.

5 Color city is an area of Kaifaqu with a variety of Bars (some racy...) and small restaraunts.

[jeffofarabia]

Hangzhou is full of tea houses and has a lovely lake. I heard it is really hot in the summer though.

[Erbse]

Thanks for Your ideas everyone, I also found some more by digging deeper in this forum.

@fsutalltree

I have a friend inTianjin, maybe I could visit him, without a language course then.

@vr2nr

I'm also thinking about Dalian, heard some good stories about that place.

@jeffofarabia

Generally a hot place is really fine with me, but this time I'd like to try a northern place, because I had been in the south 2 times already.