Chinese Language Courses - Tsinghua or Peking University?

[susie10216]

Hi,

I have applied to both Tsinghua and Beida for their fall semester chinese language programmes and I can't decide which to go! Huge problem...

Anyone out there who might have studied at either university and can offer some words of wisdom?

S

[caffeineaddict]

I've gotten more responses about specific universities by doing a bit of forum stalking and emailing people who go to the places I'm interested in. About deciding...to be honest I was torn as well and even after doing some research I couldn't decide. So I accepted the one that sent me a response first

[susie10216]

Thanks Caffeinaddict. I guess Tsinghua's response is way better than Beida - they are much more effecient etc. ALso their website is much more informative than Beida in terms of the the chinese language courses.

By the way, can you give me some advice regarding accomodation? I haven't sorted anything out as yet so I am totally screwed. Is it better to apply for Student accomodation or go with private landlords? Also, Tsinghua offers rooms called "AB rooms" - what are they???

THanks

Susie

[caffeineaddict]

I think they're a bit more relaxed as well. Basically I accidentally sent Qinghua and Beida eachother's application forms and Beida didn't reply to me. Qinghua actually ran me up and wanted to know which uni I wanted to go to haha...so I accepted them on the spot. Because of my own stupidity I might've screwed up my next year's plans altogether but thanks to the nice admin lady it was okay in the end.

About dorms vs. private housing it all depends on your personal preference. I'm still deciding myself! It's an online application and you get discounts the longer you stay. From their application form:

"Tsinghua University offers three different types of rooms to foreign students, all of which are at Zijing Dormitories. Single Room (Private bathroom/toilet): RMB 60-80 per day. A&B Double Room (Shared bathroom/toilet): 60-80 per day/person. Double Room (Public bathroom and toilet): RMB 35-40 per day/person. (The fee is determined on the length of living). Included with each room are bedclothes, airconditioning, telephone, color TV, and internet access."

I'm supposed to apply from now to Aug 15th but I haven't decided either! I really wanted to live in private housing but I did some googling and the dorms don't look that bad AND it's cheaper. Plus I want to meet more people and I think it's easier to do so in dorms. Hmm...

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=tsinghua+dorm

[susie10216]

I logged on to their reservation system yesterday and it appears that all the single rooms are gone! There is no way that I am going to share a room with another student who I have never met before. I guess my only option is to rent with private landlords.