Wuhan University

[bunny87]

WHU isn't the popular choice on this forum, but it's one I wanted to mention since I'll be going there. It's one year of Mandarin study in class, and picking up dialectal goodness outside. I also get to TA for a tiny part of my day at the same university and it probably will pay most of living expenses, which helps if you're looking for an economical university. It seems to be a top 5 or top 10 in China, so I'm happy about that too.

But, there aren't any single dorms left, just the 4 bedroom flats. Does anyone have any more info on that? Any advice for me on dorms in general?

finally, any advice or recommendations about WHU or Wuhan city in general?

Thanks!

[ayanamidreamsequence]

Wuhan University is a nice campus, and there is lots of great places to eat nearby, mostly cheap and catering to the large population of Chinese students. It is in Wuchang, which is where most universities in the city are located. What do you like to do in your spare time? If you give me an idea, I can suggest places you might be interested in. It is a big city, so there is quite a lot to do, from parks and sites, pubs and clubs, gyms and shopping. A lot of the 'party life' is in Hankou rather than Wuchang, but there is some fun stuff to do on this side of the river as well.

Some useful links for Wuhan information, if you have not seen them:

http://www.echinacities.com/wuhan/

http://wuhanexpat.com/

http://www.wuhantime.com/forum/

[bunny87]

I'm not actually into the partying life, so Hankou so far doesn't have my attention. I like the websites that you offered, I've seen 2 of them before. I think I saw your same user ID on wuhanexpat though. Is it more lively than what i saw on the front page? the forums have a post every other week it looked like.

I actually like to study/teach/tutor. And I like computer/video games, so I am happy with my situation- i teach part time, study full time, and play games when i get home.

i just want a safe environment and not scary amounts of bugs that fly and follow me.

[ayanamidreamsequence]

Wuhan Time forum tends to be pretty active. While a lot of the discussions are banal, enough people read it regularly that if you want to ask questions, you will usually get some decent responses. Wuhan expat is a bit dead, I think it plays second fiddle to the Wuhan Time forum.

Wuhan is certainly a safe environment, at least compared to cities in the US/UK where I have lived. Key to a comfortable life here is your apartment, which will hopefully be alright. I live in private accommodation and don't really know what the Wuda housing is like--I did see the housing available for teachers (I teach, I don't study) and was not overly impressed, but it was clean. I would not pay for anything without viewing it first, and stand firm on what you want as soon as you look, especially on improvements etc.

Don't assume that asking for something and getting a verbal 'no problem' really means anything will be done. Read contracts with extreme caution. If you are thinking about renting privately instead, seek online advice on this as it is a minefield and is set up so that the person renting can be totally screwed if they don't keep their eyes open (i.e. do you feel like being the one responsible for buying a new fridge when the 10 year old model the flat breaks a month after you arrive).