First-time Chinese in China by this summer?

[bluppfisk]

I am a 26-year old Belgian currently cycling through Vietnam. I will ride into China (to Kunming or possibly even Shanghai). Regardless, by June I will be in China. Normally I was going to go back home after the ride, but I'm suddenly intrigued by Chinese as a language. So instead of going home, I wonder if it's possible for me to apply to a Chinese language course at a Chinese university somewhere in China.

Perhaps one trimester, perhaps a year. Maybe even longer. My questions:

1. I am fluent in five languages (although all are Indo-European) and not bad at a few others. I'm good at picking up new ones, too. Chinese is a different case though. I know no Chinese or other Asian languages at all and can't read any of the characters either. Is it nonetheless possible with this level or do I at least need some basic knowledge?

2. Which universities offer Chinese language courses that would suit my situation?

3. Which Chinese cities are livable for foreigners, offering an opportunity to train Chinese and a good mix of fun, nature and culture?

4. Is it possible for foreign students to find a room, an apartment or something similar to occupy during my study?

5. Do I need to obtain an extended tourist visa for such stays or will enrolling at a Chinese university automatically give me the right to stay in China?

6. Am I allowed to do some work in China in case I need extra funds for my studies?

7. Anything else I need to know?

[歐博思]

Wow you cycling nuts where did you start your cycling trip?

1. Your propensity for language is a good sign, but learning to be emotionally expressive whilst incorporating tones of Chinese will be the biggest problem. I work hard and often to improve my Chinese prosody.

2. Qinghua University 清华大学, but it is in Beijing. But it doesn't sound like you are coming this far. I am not familiar with other schools to give you a recommendation.

3. Personally I feel a little uncomfortable in relatively smaller cities (没看惯外人). All I know so far is Beijing where I study and Luoyang and Xi'an where I traveled. Beijing people generally could care less you aren't chinese looking. The sand storms here are killer, though.

4. If you don't know Chinese already or have a Chinese friend on your behalf, it is easier to just take university housing. But many options are out there.

5. University will endorse your paperwork. But I don't think that China offers that long of tourist visas. Not sure.

6. Legally, no.

7. What kind of bike do you have?

[abcdefg]

Do some preliminary reading on Kunming. You might find it suitable. If you like what you read, you can check it out better when you cycle through.

It's not absolutely necessary to completely pre-arrange things here. You can do it on the fly. All except the visa, that is. Search some prior posts on that subject. It's important.

You will probably be coming up through Nanning in Guangxi. It's also not a bad place from what I've heard, but I don't live there so I cannot say for sure.

[bluppfisk]

As for my cycling adventures, I'm keeping a journal here http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=RrzKj&doc_id=8542&v=5N and here http://avontuur.sanderstruck.com. I ride an Orbea Carpe H10 with some custom modifications.

I will read up on Kunming, plenty of time anyway. Some people have been telling me about student dorms. Do you really sleep together with other students? I think that would be most uncomfortable

Thanks for the reactions so far, don't hesitate to post more opinions and ideas!