Learn Chinese FAQ

SAFETY:

What is the general safety situation like?
China is a very safe country, and even the larger cities of Beijing and Shanghai are safer than most American cities. It is nonetheless important to use common sense precautions such as not walking alone at night and traveling in groups. Pickpockets are common in and around tourist sites.

What is traffic safety like?
Traffic safety is perhaps the most serious threat to you while in China. In practice, pedestrians and bicycles do not have the right of way. It is important to use caution when crossing the street and riding a bicycle.

What about housing safety and theft?
The hotel and dormitories are very safe. Security guards patrol the premises 24 hours a day. Housekeeping staff is courteous of your belongings, and we have never had a problem with theft from the hotel or dormitories.

MONEY:

How much money will I spend?
For different program, the money is different, please reffer to program page.

How much do meals cost?
It is free. Please reffer to program page.

How much does transportation cost?
There is no lack of transportation options in Shijiazhuang! Buses crisscross the city and are the cheapest way to get around at 1RMB a ride, or roughly $0.13 cents. Taxis are a convenient way to get around town. Taxis here start at 5RMB and increase by 1.6RMB per kilometer. A taxi across town or downtown costs around 30RMB or $3.75USD. Many students also opt to buy bicycles. A working bicycle costs between 300-500RMB (About US$ 38 - 65), and is a very practical way to get around. Also you can buy a electric-bicycle, it's cost is 1200 - 1600 RMB (About US$ 150 - 200) . The electric-bicycle is very good and laborsaving.

How do I get money or exchange money when in China?
Travelers' checks can be exchanged at the Bank of China in Shijiazhuang. In addition, credit card advances are available at larger banks downtown for a small fee.

What is the exchange rate?
The official exchange rate for US dollars is approximately 7.99RMB to $1USD. For other currency, please reffer to BOC EXCHANGE RATE

Phone / FAX / Internet

Is there a phone in my room?
There is a telephone in every hotel and dormitory room.

Should I bring my cell phone to China? Should I buy a cell phone when I arrive?
Cell phones are very convenient and inexpensive here in China. Many program participants find that once they get involved in classes and activities, they are seldom in their rooms to take calls. Therefore, cell phones allow participants to stay in touch with new friends and contacts. If your current cell phone is a GSM phone with a detachable SIM chip, then you can purchase a new SIM chip in China to use your current phone. If you would like to use a cell phone during your stay in China, MQZY.COM offers a cell phone to program participants. We offer you a free mobile phone, but you must purchase a new SIM chip in China, and a $12USD phone card usually lasts around 2-3 weeks. It is also possible to buy a new cell phone upon arrival. Phones range in price from $100USD to $500USD. A SIM chip (the phone number) costs $25USD. These phones operate on a pre-paid phone card system.

How do I make an international/overseas call from China?
There are several options for placing international phone calls from China. First, you can continue to use your ATT, MCI, Sprint, or other calling card plans, although be sure to check the rates and compare with other plans before coming to China. Second, family and friends from the States may want to try 10-10-834. The service is hit and miss, but when it works it's about 25-33 cents per minute. Third, pre-paid internet phone plans like dialpad.com can be an affordable way to call home. Lastly, IP phone cards are an affordable and convenient method to place international calls. These cards function like pre-paid phone cards, and the rate is about 15 cents a minute to the United States.

Where can I access the internet? Where can I check my e-mail?
You can access internet in your room, and it is free. There is a computer with ADSL conection in you room.

How much does it cost to use the computers?
It is free.

What is the internet connection speed in China?
The internet connection speed varies depending on where you access the internet. The MQZY.COM student lounge has an ADSL connection. Many of the internet centers have DSL connections.

Is there a firewall in China?
Yes, there is a firewall in China. Certain internet sites are blocked by China's Ministry of Information Industry, however, e-mail services and many other sites are allowed through the firewall.

Food / Entertainment

I am a vegetarian, is that a problem in China?
In general, it is not difficult to be a vegetarian in China. Many Chinese dishes are vegetarian, and restaurants can often prepare dishes made to order. For example, sweet and sour pork can be prepared with tofu instead of meat.

I am a vegan, is that a problem in China?
For vegans in China, it is important to ask how, and with what ingredients, dishes are prepared. There are numerous vegetable dishes in Chinese cuisine, but some of these are prepared with meat, seafood, or eggs. Asking for dishes to be specially prepared without meat, eggs, seafood, and dairy products is not a problem for restaurants.

What is the food like in China?
Chinese cuisine varies according to the region of its origin. There are four main categories of Chinese food: Lu Cai, Chuan Cai, Su Zhe Cai, and Yue Cai. Typical dishes from the northern plains, or Lu Cai, are dumplings, spring rolls, hot pot, and stir fried chicken. Chuan Cai, or Szechwan cuisine is famous for spicy dishes like pepper and chili tofu and stir-fried pork with bamboo and mushrooms. Su Zhe Cai, from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, is renowned for its vegetarian dishes and dishes such as braised pork and crab meat balls, sweet and sour fish, and stewed pork. Lastly, Yue Cai, or Cantonese style, has a variety of ingredients and produces a fresh and light taste. Well-known dishes are dim sum, shark's fin soup, stir-fried crab with ginger and scallions, and stir-fried beef with black pepper. Each city is home to hundreds of restaurants serving different varieties of Chinese food, as well as Korean, Japanese, Western, and South MQZY.COM cuisine. Street stalls also serve fired pancakes, popcorn, and other snacks. And, if you really crave American fast food, there is no shortage of McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and other chains popping up around the country.

What is the nightlife like in Beijing? In China?
The nightlife in Beijing is thriving. With a variety of clubs, bars, discos, and live music venues, it is impossible to become bored by the selection. There are a number of local upcoming events-oriented publications in which events and live music events are listed. In the larger Chinese cities, bars, karaoke clubs, and discos are not in short supply. Smaller cities, however, do not have as much of the variety as cities like Beijing and Shanghai, although going out to dinner or to see Chinese opera with friends can be equally entertaining.

What kinds of cultural events come to Beijing?
Beijing attracts a large array of international acts, from the Beijing International Jazz Festival to the Icecapades. Each year, Beijing plays host to numerous international operas, ballets, symphonies, and art exhibitions.

What is there to do for entertainment?
There are a wealth of entertainment options in the larger cities of Beijing and Shanghai. International concerts and exhibitions are quite common, as well as the more traditional Chinese arts of Peking Opera and Acrobatics. There are many free monthly magazines with general listings of coming events, as well as online newsletters with updated listings.

Chinese Classes

What if I have only studied traditional characters, and my school only uses traditional characters, is it a problem if I only studied the simplified characters?
No, you will just have to work a little harder. First of all, most characters are the same. Second, there is a very logical system behind the simplification process, and it is after all simpler. Third, MQZY.COM has a number of helpful books and will arrange special tutorials for those interested.

Application Deadlines

When do I have to apply to come on an MQZY.COM program?
The MQZY.COM application deadlines vary according to program specifications. In general, we encourage program participants to apply at least a month before the start date of the program in which they would like to attend.

Credit Transfer

Will I be able to transfer credit to myhome institution?
MQZY.COM program participants can transfer the credits earned in China to their home institutions. The universities that program participants attend are internationally accredited; therefore most international universities accept credit received from these schools. MQZY.COM urges program participants to check with their home institution's credit transfer requirements. In addition, participants on certain programs can receive a transcript from the State University of New York at Brockport.

Weather

What is the weather like in Beijing?
The weather in Beijing varies considerably during the year, from hot and humid summers to dry and cold winters. The average temperature during the winter months of December to March is -7 - 5 C. The spring in Beijing is short, but mild with an average temperature of 10 - 24 C. Summers in Beijing are very hot with temperatures in the 20 - 31 C. Fall is probably the nicest season in Beijing with crisp temperatures ranging from 6 - 18 C.

Other:

Where can I do laundry? Dry-cleaning?
The Xi Jiao hotel and the dormitories on campus do have laundry facilities for student use. These machines operate on a pre-paid card system. The Xi Jiao hotel offers a dry-cleaning service to hotel guests. In addition, there are many small dry-cleaning shops located in and around the campus.

What should I bring to China?
MQZY.COM sends all program participants a pre-departure packet including a detailed packing list, Lonely Planet China guide, Chinese-English dictionary, MQZY.COM luggage tags, and other pre-departure information.

Should I bring along reading materials? Are books on China allowed through customs?
The MQZY.COM library is stocked with quite a selection of language resource books, travel guides, novels, and history books. In addition, there are several large bookstores in Beijing with foreign books on offer. As for books that are banned by the Chinese censorship bureau, if your luggage is searched at the airport and contains a book that has been banned, the book can be confiscated by airport security. Otherwise, you can bring in any books that you like.