Studying in university vs. living in China

[xuechengfeng]

Which do you think would be more beneficial for one's Chinese? Going to a university in Qingdao (through an American program) for 2 months. . . or simply going to Beijing for 2 months and forcing yourself to integrate into the life and culture?

[roddy]

University. 2 months isn't a very long time, and you can't really turn up in Beijing and say 'Hi, I"m here to integrate with you', unless you are the Borg ambassador.

Take the uni course (assuming it's a good one) and the structured study will be really helpful. Make a real effort to put what you learn into practice, and if you find there are too many foreigners on the course, simply ride two bus stops in either direction after class and there'll be none.

[sui.generis]

you can't really turn up in Beijing and say 'Hi, I"m here to integrate with you', unless you are the Borg ambassador.

You know, the trek franchise is really reaching right now for a Trek XI story line. You might have something there.

And I agree with the Roddy, studying at pretty much any university will give you ample opportunity to meet people and use your skills. The answer is kind of 'both'. You don't have to spend every waking hour doing homework or anything, and it doesn't sound like you're needing a grade, so just use the classes for what you can get out of them, and use University environment to find Chinese friends. You can try and find a local roommate off campus if you want to get away from some foreigner's dorm setup, or some universities will let you live in the regular university dorms.

[xuechengfeng]

University. 2 months isn't a very long time, and you can't really turn up in Beijing and say 'Hi, I"m here to integrate with you', unless you are the Borg ambassador.

I think I post now just to see what you're going to say.

[self-taught-mba]

It depends on your level and habits. Low level = go to a school b/c of all the homonyms that make immersion difficult until you have some anchor points.

Higher levels=depends. Seen students "stick their head in their books" for a few months and never learn practical things or leave their rooms-not good either.

Remember totally possible to do both at the same time. University life may lead to the other, whereas Roddy et al are right, harder to show up and say "integrate with me". Still possible but school friends may provide the bridge.

[mrtoga]

Studying on a course organized by a US university in China is (in my opinion) not the most cost effective way of studying in China. A few weeks ago we had an enquiry from an American student who had paid nearly 30,000 renminbi for a semester of tuition and accommodation at Liaoning Normal University. I don't remember the exact details of which US university he went through, but the curriculum sounded identical to the course Liaoning Normal University provides itself for roughly half that amount.

Of course it may have the advantage of giving him credit at his US university, in which case I suppose the extra expense can be justified.