Before Come to China
If you are going to move to China to study for a while, what do you have to do to make it happen? Where do you begin? How do you make sure you don’t forget anything? It’s not difficult, but it does require planning and organization. Here is what you need to think about.
Countdown to departure
Here is a guide to planning your experience in China. Mark these date on your calendar to make sure you keep on track. You should also check with your local agency of our university. Many organize pre-departure briefings for students for planning to study in China. These are ideal opportunity to hear about the life in China and ask about issues that most interest you.
What to do
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When to do
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Start applying for postgraduate program
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At least 18 months before you want to start the program
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Start applying for scholarship.
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12-15 months before departure
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Estimate your study expenses and living expenses, and start working out how to pay for them
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At least one year before departure
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Apply for undergraduate course
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10-12& months before the start date
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Start arranging accommodation in the China
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As soon as you’ve accepted a place on a course
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Ask your college/university about your options for paying fee
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Once you’ve accepted a place on a course
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Check your passport- if you are going to need a new one, start making inquiries
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As soon as possible. Processing times vary from country to country so find out when you should apply
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Make sure you’ve received a letter of unconditional acceptance from your college or university
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Several months before departure
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Make sure to have your physical examination checked
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As soon as you’ve received admission notice and related documents
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Apply for entry visa to China
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Make inquiries as soon as possible, to find out when you should apply- processing times vary
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Ask you home bank about transferring money to China and setting up an account here
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Several months before departure
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Book your flight or other travel to China
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As early as possible once you have obtained your visa to China. At least 4-5 weeks before departure
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Check with your airline or shipping agent to find out what your baggage allowance is
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When you book your flight or other travel to China
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Plan you onward travel from the airport or seaport to your final destination in China (Zhengzhou)
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When you book your flight or other travel to China
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Buy travel insurance
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When you book your flight or other travel to China
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Arrange your health insurance
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About one month before departure
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If you are taking any prescribed drugs or medicines, ask your doctor to write a letter explaining what they are and why you are taking them
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2-4 weeks before departure
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Buy US dollars/UK sterling and travelers’ checks to cover your first few months in China
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Watch the exchange rates and pick a good time- but don’t leave it too late
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Start gathering all the items and documents you will be taking with you- make sure you’ve got everything before you start packing
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2-3 weeks before departure
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Buy any extra items you need, e.g., money belt, photos of yourself, dictionary
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2 weeks before departure
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Label all your luggage with your name and address in China
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When you finish packing
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Preparing to enter China
You should make sure that you have a valid passport before your travel. In some countries it may take several months to obtain passport, so don’t leave this to the last minute.
Passport is just the beginning, to enter China you may also need to arrange entry visa. To do that, you will need to obtain the ‘Admission Notice’ issued by our university, the result of “Record of Physical Examination’, and the proof that you have enough money to pay for your course fees, accommodation and living expense.
Arranging accommodation
Your arrival in China will be easier if you arrange accommodation in advance. Doing this may also help you to gain entry visa to China. You have two possible choices:
1.Apply for a place in university accommodation
2.Arrange private accommodation
1. University accommodation
University own and run its own accommodation for its students. Choosing this option is the easiest way to arrange your accommodation in advance. University will send you information and application form. You will fill out the application form and send it back, making sure you meet the deadline. Once your application is accepted, we send your confirmation of your booking. Our university will guarantee a place of accommodation for all fresh students.
2. Private accommodation
Besides the university accommodation students also can choose rent a private property. The accommodation office may keep lists of private accommodation available in the area, or the international student’s union may also keep lists of accommodation in the area.
Money
It is risky to carry large amounts of cash when you are traveling. When it’s time to travel to China, plan to take just enough cash to meet your immediate needs and send the rest of your funds by another method, such as bank draft, traveler check, electronic transfer, and bank transfer, etc.
Some government may control the flow of money in and out of country. In that case, you should find out as soon as possible:
how to get permission to transfer money
whether there is a limit to how much you can transfer
what regulation you must comply with.
The first several weeks when you get to China, you will have lots of things to do, and it may be a few days before you are able to open a bank account. And once you do, it may take a while for your transferred funds to the clear through the banking system. So all together, it could be anywhere from ten days to six weeks before you can access to the funds your transfer. So obviously, you will need some other sources of money in the meantime. The possibilities include:
US Dollars, British Pounds, Euro, or other international currencies
Travelers check
Credit cards
Insurance
There are three types of insurance to think about ahead of time:
Travel insurance – to cover you and your luggage during the journey. Ask about this when you book ticket to travel China.
Personal belongings insurance – to cover valuable items such as jewelry, musical instruments, digital camera, handy phone, laptops while they are with you in China. If these items are covered by an insurance policy at your home, check whether they will still be insured while they are out the country. If not, you should arrange insurance for them once you are in China.
Health insurance – to cover you against the cost of sickness or injury while you are in China. Our university will manage overseas students to be covered by a health insurance only for inpatient cost, not including outpatient cost. As a result, you will need a medical insurance to cover you during your stay in China.
Packing
Before you pack up all your belongings, consider the following:
Find out what you are and are not allowed to bring into China. Contact or visit the website of Chinese Embassy in your country.
Find out what your baggage allowance is. Most airlines allow 20-30kg of checked luggage, and some also have size or weight restrictions for carry-on luggage. Your have to pay a surcharge, if you exceed the checked luggage allowance.
Make sure your electrical equipment is compatible with Chinese standards: 220V, 50Hz, three-pin (rectangular, not square) plugs. You may need an adapter and perhaps a voltage converter.
What to pack and where to pack it
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Carry on your person or in your hand luggage
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Passport, with valid visa
Travel ticket
Money
Vaccination certificate, if required
Letter of Admission Notice
Originals (or certified true copies) of any degree certificates or technical qualifications
Pen and some paper
Address and phone number of your final destination
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Pack in your main luggage
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A note of your passport number and the date and place of issue.
A note of the serial number of your traveler’s checks.
Back-up photocopies of all essential documents
At least nine passport size photos of yourself.
Clothing- China is a country of four distinct seasons. You do need some clothes, mostly comfortable and informal, but some smart for special occasions.
Toiletries and personal items to last a week.
Towels and bed linens
Bilingual dictionary
Some photos of family and close friends
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Don’t bring:
Any prohibited items (weapons, drug, some plants), find detailed items prohibited from website of Chinese Embassy in your country.
Lots of food—most of ingredients you need are available in China
Lots of books and stationary - it may be cheaper to buy them once you get here.
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