Who's going to BLCU in 2006?

[Marquis]

im not 100% sure but i paid for some fees last week and i thats what i remember, there is a cash machine on site to withdraw money and a bank on campus for traverls cheques so either way should be ok.

[teachinator]

I'm Susan. I'm arriving at BLCU for the 12-week short course beginning in September, and I would really like to meet other students, especially those coming for the same course. I'd love to find a study group as soon as possible after I arrive.

I'm a little (very?) unusual for a BLCU student in that I am 51 years old. Hey, don't all wander off! I'm actually an ESL teacher in the US (California) who studied Chinese decades ago, but I've forgotten a lot of it and I want to improve my fluency as much as possible, hence this trip. I'd like to try to get back the traditional characters which I originally studied as well as learning the simplified, which are new to me, so if anyone else wants to study traditional characters as a side project, maybe we can motivate each other.

I'll arrive in Beijing about September 8 but won't get to BLCU until September 11, the earliest date one can register for the short courses. I guess they want the long-term students to get settled in first. I'm nervous about that because I really want to get a single room and I'm afraid they'll all be gone by then. Does anyone know what my chances are likely to be for the single room?

I hope to test into the intermediate level but a friend here has asked me some of the questions from the practice HSK and I did pretty badly, so who knows.

Anyway, any info or advice on how to hit the ground running as a student at BLCU and how to find a study group would be much appreciated.

[billiardsmike]

Don't worry about age. There's a few of us "non-traditionals" here. I'm 47, starting the year course and I believe there's one woman at 61 as well.

Mike

[teachinator]

Hi BilliardsMike,

I'm glad there are other over 40s/50s students, but I was disheartened to see an upper age limit for students at BLCU (except for the short courses). It was 50 for undergraduates and 40 for grad students. You just squeaked by!

[billiardsmike]

Susan, by the way, you'll have several rooming options if a single is critical (it was for me). If you haven't already seen it, do a search for amanda and read her post about housing. It has quite a bit of info. I went with her recommendation and booked at the Foreign Sudents Actvity Center (now the International Students Center).

[Montecarlo_max]

Hey all,

Im a student from the European Business School in London although im half Monegasque (Monaco). Im coming to BLCU and starting in September with 3 friends of mine all from the same uni in London. We are all around 21/22 years old.

Anyone else joining BLCU either from the South of France, or from London?

Email me.

Max

[zeroseven]

Hi all,

I start at BLCU in September on the long term program, I am coming from the UK,

anyone else out there doing the same.......

[kglowe]

Hey everyone,

I'm travelling from Vancouver, Canada to BCLU for September, arriving on the 7th. Anyone else arriving the same time?

cheers... Kevin

[Madot]

Arriving late on 6 September. Anyone organising a coffee or drinks get-together after that time? Maybe early the following week after registration for the short courses? Or before, if people want.

Mado

[kglowe]

Let's try for some coffee/drinks on September 8th. Post if you're up for it.

Anyone have any suggestions on a place? Or shall we just meet somewhere and take if from there?

[Madot]

8th Sept sounds great. Anyone else? I know there have been a couple of different threads about meeting up so I'm not sure who is answering which thread... Who knows the area well enough and would like to organise a time and place for that Friday?

Mado

[teachinator]

Our plan is to arrive the 4th, rent a place for me to stay during the school term (12 weeks), and then hopefully take a few day trips, returning by the 11th. So I don't know if we'll be in town on the 8th, but if we are, count me in.

Susan (teachinator)

[billiardsmike]

OK, I'll post on both threads as voluteering to organize a get-together for all of us lost souls, just arrived.

Everyone mentions coffee or drinks. I'll say the best venue is the International Beer Garden. It's covered, outdoors and has beer, food and a large assortment of non-alcoholic drinks. Picnic tables make it easier for groups. From BLCU, head west, go under the train station, and turn right at the next light. It's immediately on the left.

7:00pm Friday September 8th, The International Beer Garden, Wudaokou

Just look for an older guy in a Hawaiian shirt - that's me.

See you there!

Mike

[SpanishDancer]

Ni hao everybody !!

My name is MoDi (in Chinese) and I am from Spain. I am 25 years old and this is my second time in China. I am going to study at BLCU for the short term program starting in September.

I arrive Sep 6 th and I would love to meet you all guys there !! My email is: modestocorderi@yahoo.es and modestocorderi@hotmail.com

Let´s have a huge party in Beijing ! I can teach you some salsa and Spanish dancing !

All the best,

MoDi

[zeroseven]

Count Me in, see you on the 8th Sep....

[roddy]

Given the the BLCU 2007 starters discussion is now in full swing, I thought I'd give this one a bump to see if any of the 2006 starters are still around and perhaps inclined to offer some advice or comments. Any of you still out there, or did you all fade away?

[babytine]

Hello, I'm French, I'm already in Blcu for 6months now, I'll go back to France for holiday and come back in Beijing for September.