Which university should I choose?

[hanxue]

Hey everyone,

this is my first post. Recently my Chinese teacher informed me that I am the recipient of a 1-semester scholarship for studying Chinese in China, an award given the Confucious Institute (if I'm not mistaken ) for having scored the level 7 on HSK tests.

They have provided me with a link where I can choose among a bunch of Chinese universities, but to be honest, I don't really know which one I should go for. The universities I can choose from are apparently listed here: http://www.hanban.org/jiangxuejin.php

I will most likely be going for the fall semester 2009. I would preferably like to go to the northern part of China this time around, as I've already spent a year in the south (Taiwan) before. I would as well prefer to attend a university that has classrooms with less than 20 students. I thought the idea of classes with 6-10 students they have in Taiwan was just awesome - you get a lot more opportunities to participate actively in class.

My teacher has suggested I should consider these 4 universities: 北京航空航天大学, 首都师范大学, 河北经贸大学, 黑龙江大学, especially the Beihang one.

I have checked the 黑龙江 one, and it seems their dorms are pretty clean and nice looking. However, looks like it gets crazily cold in the winter. And besides, looks like the city has been influenced heavily by Russia(ns). I wouldn't really feel like getting sight of European architecture everywhere, so perhaps 黑龙江 wouldn't be the right choice.

So what do you guys think? Should I go for Beihang University? Or some other Uni?

Thanks in advance.

[Emily7]

At first, welcome to China!

IMHO, considering the comprehensive strength, Beihang is the best in four universities you mentioned, but it is famous for the science and engineering subjects; considering you will learn Chinese, I think Capital Normal University is a better choice. Besides this two universities are both in Beijing, and you can see some ancient architecher, like Beijing Hutong. Well, I do not think Hebei University of Economics and Trade and Hei long jiang University are as good as these two. As they are not that famous in China.

Anyway, if possible, I feel like recommending that Beijing Normal University or Beijing University are your best Choice of learning Chinese.

[hanxue]

Hi Emily,

thanks for your reply. Yesterday I noticed that lots of other universities had been added to the link I posted above. I went over the list with my teacher and now there was 北京语言大学 as well.

So she suggested I should definitely consider BLCU (北京语言大学 ). Would you recommend it?

[Emily7]

Bingo! Haha, I just forgot this university, sorry. I think your teacher is definitely right! There are many subjects in BLCU for foreigners to learn Chinese and they are more professional. But I have heard that there are too many foreigners in that university, so it all depends on you. Here is a link of BLCU in English. Hope it works. http://www.blcu.edu.cn/blcuweb/english/index-en.asp

[aljensen]

Harbin is much cheaper, the local dialect is as clear as Beijing's if not more so, and there are less distractions. In Beijing, people are surpised if you can speak Chinese. In Harbin, people are surpised if you can't.