As good as you want it to be. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

A lot of "busy" work and quality of instruction was less than what I am used to.

On-site administration of your program

Staff is not very helpful. They do not have the same consumer/student oriented mentality like US programs.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Limited hot water, A/C not allowed to be turned on in May when people are sweating at night, very limited western toilets, showers are bad, smoking allowed everywhere in the dorms, and overly strict guest policies among other things. Basically, not very good at all.

Variety of food is good, but if you like to eat meat with your meals you will have a harder time getting by. Same goes if you do not like Chinese food.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Most of the exchange students hang out with each other. Language is the first barrier, but the fact that the university does not allow Chinese people to live with foreign students does not help. I was able to meet many Chinese people, but that is because I lead the English corner and am a more extroverted individual. Local students are not as friendly as students from America and tend to be quieter which makes it harder to assimilate.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Did not really have any health issues so I cannot say. It would be seemingly necessary for you have at least an intermediate/advanced level of Chinese to visit a place like a hospital though.

On campus is pretty safe. They do allow some questionable individuals on campus though and I was almost involved in a physical altercation when a man riding his bike kicked mine and spit on me. He was upset because he believed I almost ran into him at an intersection although I was bearing right and there was literally no contact. Security were nearby and did nothing. The guy looked homeless and I knew he did not belong on campus so I did not hold it against them entirely. I did, however, see the same guy a couple weeks later at a cafe on campus. He still looked homeless, smelled, and gave me a bad look. Not sure why these types are even allowed entry on Tsinghua's campus. As far as off campus, you are on your own. Don't expect much help. Recently there have actually been a number of transgressions aimed at foreigners and my American roommate was actually arrested against his will one night. He was at a bar where a fight broke out and did nothing wrong, but since he could not speak Chinese fluently and the cops did not know English, they arrested him and his foreign friends and took them to jail for the night. I would not trust cops here. My advice is to stay on campus if your really worried about safety or make sure to go out with a group, preferably at least one who knows Chinese, fluently.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Price is definitely one of the biggest pros. Unlike Europe, a dollar really goes much further here. A meager budget back home could be enough to eat out often, go clubbing, traveling, and even do some thrifty shopping. Definitely one of my favorite aspects of China.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Beijing is great for learning Chinese, no doubt.

Select all that apply

• Dorm

Select all that apply

• Americans

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Meeting so many people from around the world
• The exchange rate
• Being able to say I lived and interned in another country

• Air, water, land
• The dorms
• Course offerings