HELP! Tsinghua vs. BLCU vs. Other

[rls918]

Hi everyone, I am looking to study Mandarin over a semester. My goals are to learn as much mandarin as possible. Can anyone provide any advice with respect to the following questions:

1) Tsinghua vs. Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) - I understand Tsinghua has a regular program that is 20 hours per week whereas BLCU has both the regular and an intensive program (30 hours per week). I like the fact that BLCU has an intensive program but would I heard Tsinghua is the best University in China. I recognize that there is a cost difference between the programs but trying not to think about that (which is hard!)

2) Living - Which school of the two would be more convenient? As my friend will be joining me, we plan to rent an apartment on our own

3) Other options - Any other options for other schools in Beijing or other locations in China? I'm also interested in living in Qingdao, Hangzhou, Xian or Shanghai but heard that Beijing has the most standard accent. Qingdao and Hangzhou seem interesting froma quality of life perspective.

Thanks! Any insight would be deeply appreciated as I hope to sign up asap.

[teddyxu]

1.i think blcu is better for language study

2.i think it's the same

3.shanghai east china normal universtiy

[zheta]

Tsinghua is for sure one of the best universities in China, but i personally recommend you to choose BLCU, since it has more experience in teaching Chinese. (As far as i know) But there are many foreigners studying in BLCU, i am not sure if it is good for u...and i think both universities are quite convenient, but BLCU is closer to the centre of Beijing. respect to your last question, I think my hometown Chongqing can be a good substitute, because we speak not only mandarin but also chongqing language, don't u think the capacity of speaking chinese dialect is much cooler?

If you have any more questions, send me message.