Online Coursework While In China

[smossey88]

I am hoping to be studying Chinese abroad next year, but I may end up two courses short of achieving my Master's degree in the U.S. I'd hate to leave these two courses for my return to the states. My University is pretty accepting of me doing 2 online courses, while abroad. My question is has anyone done this while abroad in China? Have you run into problems, and have you needed a VPN for this? Being two courses shy wouldn't deter me from going to China, but I'd like to definitely finish while I am abroad. It only amounts to about 12 weeks of courses(though they are intensive), and really isn't too much. Any information you can provide would be very helpful! I may be able to finish before I go, but just in case I suppose I should be prepared!

[fanglu]

I did this for a semester and didn't need to use a VPN, but will depend on what websites you need to use, obviously. You need to be pretty disciplined to go to Chinese class, do homework and also do your online course each day.

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[abcdefg]

I would suggest setting up a VPN before you leave the US so that you will be able to visit websites that might be restricted while in China. It's easier to do before you get here. The Great Firewall has recently (early December) gotten more restrictive.

[Mchen]

Well, since mentioned about VPN...Does anyone know about FreeGateway?

A free software helps you sneak though the GFW. I ve heared a couple of times that people spend hundreds of bucks for VPN, while there is a good free alternative.

I am a Chinese and i ve been using FreeGateway for years---I need it for youtube and some other website when i was in China, and i need it for Youku now in Canada

[imron]

and i need it for Youku now in Canada

This sounds interesting. Region restrictions are becoming more and more common on Chinese sites (e.g. if you want to stream Chinese video to a country outside of China), so this might be a handy way to get around that.

[China English Buddy]

I agree with advice about organising a vpn before you arrive. there are vans bouncing through Hong Kong but in my experience they can suddenly stop working...I've only used free ones so i can't vouch for the commercial companies...even the 'search' for vpns will come up blank once inside china.

the chinese use weibao instead of twitter and qq instead of Facebook. they can freely distribute pictures, videos and conference calls. the problem comes when for educational purposes you want to access pod casts or youtube links from your university lecturers back in the states....you would need a vpn.

I have accessed google scholar and my university noodle/ blackboard no problem but pop ups and live streams are blocked.

[smossey88]

Thank you all so much! I will definitely set up a VPN before I head over. Hopefully I won't even have to worry about this and will have my coursework done, but I suppose its better to be safe and plan ahead.