yueni Posted June 13, 2009 at 12:14 AM Report Posted June 13, 2009 at 12:14 AM caro, If you go to page 14 of this thread, you'll find a description of all the dorms on campus that I wrote a few months ago. The current changes are that dorm 7 has been closed for renovations, and 12 and 13 are also closed now. yueni
caro7411 Posted June 13, 2009 at 06:31 AM Report Posted June 13, 2009 at 06:31 AM Thank you Yueni, I saw you reply, it helps a lot I've asked for a better room but they said that there is no more room available...don't know if it's true...I'm gonna try to change it when I'll be there
yueni Posted June 14, 2009 at 02:39 PM Report Posted June 14, 2009 at 02:39 PM You'll find it difficult for the first week of school as people are still moving in and settling down. Just keep going back and letting them know you're interested in moving to a better quality room, and rooms should start opening up as people move off campus to other housing options. I remained in dorm 9, and didn't find it super bad or anything. It's definitely not the best place I've ever stayed in, but it worked out fine for me.
Guest smurfette Posted June 15, 2009 at 10:46 AM Report Posted June 15, 2009 at 10:46 AM hey there! Do they have mixed-type sockets in the dorms, particularly dorm 4? That is will the European plug fit or do I need a converter? And how much do I need to pay for the internet in the room (double room) and will it be unlimited? Thanks!!
yueni Posted June 15, 2009 at 02:41 PM Report Posted June 15, 2009 at 02:41 PM The sockets are not mixed, but you can buy extension cords at the friendship store on campus for pretty cheap that will allow you to plug in your European appliances. Unlimited internet via Cernet (the cable internet on campus) costs 140RMB/month. Their office is by the west gate on campus.
Guest smurfette Posted June 15, 2009 at 05:02 PM Report Posted June 15, 2009 at 05:02 PM Thank you yueni!! Another related question - how is internet organised in double rooms? Are there two internet outlets for two computers which need to be paid for separately by the students?
yueni Posted June 16, 2009 at 09:02 AM Report Posted June 16, 2009 at 09:02 AM This depends on the dorm. Some dorms have two sockets. Other dorms require that you get a router and then each get separate accounts. My dorm had only one socket, so I got cable, and my roommate got DSL. I don't know how much DSL costs or where the company is. Each internet account is specific to your computer only.
Guest smurfette Posted June 16, 2009 at 09:09 AM Report Posted June 16, 2009 at 09:09 AM Any info about dorm 4? I will have to submit some work via internet every day (I''m a translator). So I would really like to arrange internet fast Plus, I'm only coming for 2 months, so I wouldn't want to buy expensive equipment. Anyone staying at dorm 4? And thanks again, yueni
caro7411 Posted June 16, 2009 at 08:20 PM Report Posted June 16, 2009 at 08:20 PM Hey ^^ I have a question about pocket money How much do you take for one month? I want to hang out and visit the region as much as possible Thanks
yueni Posted June 18, 2009 at 06:22 AM Report Posted June 18, 2009 at 06:22 AM Hi caro, Honestly, it really depends on what you want to do during the month. I'm a scholarship student, so I had 1700rmb given to me by the Chinese government each month. In general, it lasted me until the 3rd week of the month and then I supplemented that with my own money. However, I don't know what your spending habits are like and what you prefer to do and where you prefer to spend your money. If you like to eat out at nicer restaurants, if you like to go out to the bars and clubs on the weekends for a good time, if you plan on travelling a lot, if you want to make sure you have a little more of the luxuries and comfort of home, you will spend a lot more than I did. Some of my friends easily spent 1700rmb in a week, if not the very same day they received it. A night out can easily cost upwards of 400rmb, especially if you have a nice dinner and a few drinks, plus cab fare, entrance fees... Personally, I'm not much for going out clubbing a lot, and I've been to a lot of the tourist attractions in Beijing already, so I don't spend money there. I eat pretty cheaply. Most weekdays, I spend around 20-30rmb for all my meals. I do splurge a little on the weekends, but I rarely spend more than 50rmb for a single meal unless it's a special occasion. I also didn't buy sheets and whatever else my roommates did to make the room more comfortable for them, because I was fine roughing it out for the year. All that obviously adds up, especially if you want stuff that's similar to what you're used to back home. Most of my money went into the 4 week winter vacation where I dropped a good deal of cash travelling around southern China.
caro7411 Posted June 18, 2009 at 10:06 AM Report Posted June 18, 2009 at 10:06 AM (edited) Wow thanks Yueni for the accurate response It helps a lot ^^ I'm going in BLCU just for 4 weeks so it's like holidays so I think I'm gonna spend quite a lot I have another small question: How much does the taxi drive cost from the airport to the university? Edited June 18, 2009 at 03:14 PM by caro7411
yueni Posted June 19, 2009 at 09:21 AM Report Posted June 19, 2009 at 09:21 AM Taxi from the university to the airport (and vice versa) will cost between 80-100rmb. I think I spent about 89rmb the last time I took the taxi to the airport, but this was also at like 11pm at night and nobody was on the roads. It is about a half hour cab ride. If you take a taxi during the middle of the day and the roads are really crowded, it might be over 100rmb. I think I spent something like 110rmb when I first arrived.
caro7411 Posted June 19, 2009 at 08:24 PM Report Posted June 19, 2009 at 08:24 PM Hopefully you tell me that it's around 100RMB, I was thinking about 200 Anyways, I'm really thankful for all the answers you give me, now I really feel less lost
Jasarn Posted June 24, 2009 at 04:01 PM Report Posted June 24, 2009 at 04:01 PM How far is BLCU from Chaoyang district? I'm asking because my dad lives in Chaoyang and I'm thinking if it's easier to live with him - although I would like to live on campus to get used to China more on my own. Also can anyone give some detail what you do in the classes? Preferably the lower ones; I would probably going into the lowest one.. :-
paol@ Posted June 25, 2009 at 03:57 AM Report Posted June 25, 2009 at 03:57 AM Hi to everyone!!! To Caro: I'm just back from Beijing and I can tell u that at maximum u'll pay 140yuan for the taxi (from the airport to BLCU). I spent 130yuan from the 北外. ciao...
barronrandall Posted June 25, 2009 at 09:16 AM Report Posted June 25, 2009 at 09:16 AM I would be much appreciative if someone could help me out with a couple of questions of mine: I am currently set to stay for 1 yr at BLCU. Having noticed that most accommodation is comunal, I am currently trying to find out where the best private accommodation is on campus , as I am willing to pay more for quality and comfort. I understand that most students stay at the Conference Centre.... is this good or just average?? Is there any other better area? Similarly I want to be central to everything... I have recently read some posts on a forum stating that Buildings 4 and 6 are the best out of all of them... do these really have the best rooms out of the whole campus? Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Many thanks.
Gaogao Posted June 25, 2009 at 07:07 PM Report Posted June 25, 2009 at 07:07 PM Hi! I´m going with the same scholarship as Caro for 4 weeks in July. Do you think even short-term scholarship students get the lowest-standard rooms? Is it worth a try to book a room? If I´m put into a dorm room that does not have a bathroom, I guess if I´m really determined I can move to one with a bathroom if I pay the difference? The lowest-standard room with the bathroom is OK, I just need my own toilet. About how much fee should I calculate with for 30 days if they take off that approx. 30 RMB? Thanks a lot!
peekay Posted June 27, 2009 at 05:46 PM Report Posted June 27, 2009 at 05:46 PM The [electrical] sockets are not mixed, but you can buy extension cords at the friendship store on campus for pretty cheap that will allow you to plug in your European appliances. I checked Dorm 17 and the library, they both do have mixed sockets. I also asked a friend who lives at Dorm 4 and he says the sockets there are mixed as well. So maybe it depends on the (age of the) dorm. But as yueni mentioned you're likely going to buy an extension cord anyway -- almost all of them have mixed sockets. I do keep a small adapter in my laptop bag just in case (i.e., one of the US-style jacks in the library was really worn out, so only the Chinese part was usable.)
greenarcher Posted June 28, 2009 at 04:26 AM Report Posted June 28, 2009 at 04:26 AM Does dorm 17 have its own reservation number? Or do I call the number provided on my acceptance kit which is dorm #2 student housing service? Will they be the 1 to coordinate my reservation with dorm 17?
Gaogao Posted July 1, 2009 at 09:52 AM Report Posted July 1, 2009 at 09:52 AM (edited) Since I will be at BLCU on a scholarship, I was not surprised they told me I will be in Dorm 9. I think it will be all right, at least it´s for free. I know about the general conditions, but it would nice to know more, like how many floors, is there anything I should take with myself, about how far it is from the teaching buildings (in minutes) and such. Pictures would be also appreciated! ;) Edited July 1, 2009 at 01:07 PM by Gaogao
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