Fuzhou vs Xiamen and Jinan vs Qingdao

[ed.b]

Hi all, I'm choosing between different universities for a language studying scholarship and I'm having a hard time comparing which will be better suited for me, and so was wondering if anyone here has any insights.

 

My main concern is that I won't be too bored - i.e. I'd like a campus in/near city centre and an interesting nightlife.

 

In one scholarship I can choose between:

- Fuzhou University (in Fuzhou)

- Fujian Normal University (in Fuzhou)

- Xiamen University (in Xiamen)

- Jimei University (in Xiamen)

 

In the other scholarship I can choose between:

- Shandong Normal University (in Jinan)

- University of Jinan (in Jinan)

- Qingdao University (in Qingdao)

- Qingdao Technological University (in Qingdao)

 

Of course I've done lots of my own research, but what I'm struggling with is comparing two cities - any insights to help which I should choose are greatly appreciated, thanks!

[tooironic]

I've been studying at Xiamen University since September last year, I've visited Jimei University, and travelled to Qingdao. In terms of ranking, Xiamen University is the highest out of those overall, though it is unlikely this would make a big difference to the quality of the Chinese programs available.

 

Xiamen does have a nightlife, with numerous bars and club on the island. However before you enrol in the program - or indeed any of the programs - you should check whether the campus you will be attending is in the city centre or not. As far as I know, the Chinese program at Xiamen University is taught at Xiang'an campus, about a 1.5hr bus ride away from Siming campus, which is in the heart of the city and on Xiamen island. I've been to Xiang'an before and there is not much of a nightlife there.

 

As for the Shandong unis, I know little about them, maybe someone else here can provide you with more information.

 

Good luck with making your final choice.

 

Btw: If pollution is a concern for you, you should know the air quality in Xiamen and Fuzhou is much better than Shandong.

[ZhangKaiRong]

No way to feel bored in these cities. I can't state anything about Fuzhou because I have never visited it, but since it's the capital of Fujian it should have no problems in terms of going out and have fun I guess.

 

Xiamen and Qingdao all have a lot of bars, pubs and clubs, as these cities are very popular with foreigners nowadays, and during their history they were influenced by foreigners (Qingdao was a German colony, Xiamen was one of the first trading ports for foreign sailors). These kind of places suit well for foreign students, but IMO they are less "Chinese" than places in the inner part of China.

 

Jinan is okay as well, also a 省会, but the number of foreign students are lower compared to the other two cities. There were four big clubs in the city center back in 2013, mainly packed with foreigners. There are also several bars where you can drink mainly Chinese alcohol. Street food is marvellous in the city, and restaurants offer super big portions from everything, which was quite surprising for me who studied in a different province.

[889]

If you're going to China for language study, then go someplace where the language on the street resembles Putonghua. That narrows it down to your Shandong choices, and between them Qingdao is the winner, both because it still has some character and a great setting, and because Jinan is a pretty listless place: you only go there if you have to.

But bear in mind the important comment above about campus location; not much use being in "Qingdao" if that actually means being 20km from the centre.

[ZhangKaiRong]

IMO, if somebody wants to go to China for studying the language, then he/she should go to a dull and unimportant place with as few foreigners as possible. OP clearly stated that "interesting nightlife" is an important criteria, therefore quality of putonghua is not the biggest issue... Actually, getting used to the various 南方口音helps more if you want to use Chinese later in your life as you will have to cooperate with southerners in most professional situations.

[ed.b]

Really helpful answers, thank you. I think Qingdao and Fuzhou look a good bet overall.

 

The Xiamen University website states their language programs will be at the Xiang'an campus so very useful to know to avoid that!

[coditza]

Hi ed.b 

 

Did you get any of the scholarships? 

[ed.b]

Yes I got a British Council Shandong province scholarship! Although they haven't told me which university yet, my first two choices were in Qingdao and the other in Jinan.

[coditza]

Congratulations!! I applied to the same British Council scholarships as you (I applied to 6 in total ) and I got a British Council Fujian Scholarship. I'm going in March next year. If you're off to China in September I hope you have fun and learn lots of Mandarin

[zhouhaochen]

All of these places will speak their own dialects (languages) instead of Mandarin, so you may as well just go for the prettiest one, so for me the choice would be between Qingdao and Xiamen.