Struggling to Make It "Home".

[Aiden5]

I'm in a tough spot right now. I plan on moving to and living in China in my future, but it seems as if I won't be able to make enough money for the final trip for Tsinghua University. I'm doing some long-term planning and it seems as if my IB courses (IB is a class that helps with more International studies) will be so rigorous that they'll take vital time away from my job, and cause me to generate less saving money than what I can be getting. I also need to take into account three short trips to China before I actually move there . Are there any suggestions out there? Please?

[陳德聰]

Sorry maybe you can clarify. You are looking for suggestions on how to save more money? Where you can find other income? Or?

 

Have you considered any scholarships or bursaries?

[langxia]

Why do you need three short trips before moving there ? If you don't have very serious things to do in China just do them when you move there.

 

Otherwise try to get scholarships, you could consider giving tutoring lessons when over in China to get some income.

[imron]

Are there any suggestions out there?

Finish your course, and then work full-time for a bit to earn the remaining money.  It might take longer, but China will still be there waiting for you.

[vellocet]

Yeah, China isn't going anywhere.  Put your nose to the grindstone, make the money, and study Chinese every day.  Put in your time in purgatory so you can enter the promised land. 

[Lu]

Some good advice in this thread already. Other ideas:

Make less short trips to China.

Get a job lined up before you come to China and make the money once there (English teaching jobs are still easy to get, from what I gather).

[anonymoose]

Why do you need to go to China three times first? Ask the girl to come and see you instead. That will save some money.
 

[陳德聰]

Anonymoose she likely can't get a hold of her hukou to get a passport since her parents don't approve... Or was that a different thread?

[Aiden5]

Girl? I don't remember saying anything about a girl.

[Hofmann]

Separate your responsibilities. I would prioritize your IB program. Make sure you're good enough to get scholarships or you'll have to pay for more than plane tickets. You can always work after you graduate, and you'll be able to earn money more quickly without school.

[Simon_CH]

The above. Don't go to China with so little reserves that you can't afford a single trip, just work for a while until you're comfortable and able to pay for unforeseen expenses. 

[imron]

And don't be concerned that you'll miss the application window and have to wait another entire year - that might happen, but it just means you'll have another year of savings behind you, and will make your time in China that much less stressful, which will be a good thing.