Considering studying at BLCU - advice on timing?

[stephnz]

Hi there

I'm a Kiwi from Wellington of Chinese heritage who can't speak a word of Mandarin! To rectify this, and having recently visited china for the first time this year (and now being old enough to appreciate my asian heritage), I am seriously considering taking a year off work (I'm a recent law graduate) and moving to Beijing to study at BLCU next year.

I think I will sign up for a regular semester course and then see how I go and whether i'd sign up for another semester or continue my travelling onto europe, rather than commit to an entire year first up. From what I've read on here, it seems that a lot of people start in the first semester rather than the 2nd? Is this due to the timing (our kiwi semesters being completely out of sync) or are there real advantages to starting in the 1st semester rather than the second? (trying to decide when to stop work!)

Also, are there many "complete beginners" going over to BLCU? I am taking weekly lessons at the community high school but as you can imagine, it is pretty far removed from any serious studying. It would be good to hear from any other "beginners" and to hear of their progress.

Thanks! (It's pretty hard trying to find out info from nz about this uni so this forum is a godsend!)

[Dreamer]

hey..i dont think it actually matters when u start in the year..i went to study at BLCU in september last year doing there semester course and there was ALOT of people starting in the second semester..i acutally think there was more people starting then than when i went back this year to do another semester course in February..so yeh just go anytime that suits u i reckon..as for u studying already in Newzealand..i dont think u really need to either..unless u want a head start..because when i started the course there..i couldnt speak ANY chinese at all (onli understood the most simplest wrds)..n my class alot of them didnt know anything at all..but in the end we all could communicate 2 get around places etc! and now.. 1 year later im speaking fluently..even after the first semester i was speaking and understanding well! hehe and noo i didnt study hard..lets just say i more partied hard haha but yeh..and i think its good to learn from the beginning there because u learn the actual proper pronounciations etc. like u wont have any old bad habits which my friend had! well hope u have fun! which im sure u will..good luck! =)