Student Life in China

Studying in China is like jumping into a cold swimming pool. Life as a student here can be a hugely enjoyable, reinvigorating experience or it can be a lonely, doubt-ridden waste of time. The simple truth is, if you are not prepared to embrace the Chinese lifestyle and culture, what are you doing investing your time and money studying in a Chinese environment?

At Yes-Asia, we encourage you to jump into the pool. Through this site, it is our expectation that you will get a taste for what awaits you during your study in China.

 Unique Features and Activities
In addition to the formal curriculum, students take part in numerous activities, such as the Language Pledge, Language Practicum, Field Trips and Guest Lectures. All these programs are especially designed to emphasize the students’ learning in a Chinese setting.

The Language Pledge.
As a rule, Only Chinese will be spoken, especially with other fellow students, including roommates, instructors and staff. The purpose of the Language Pledge is to help students become immersed in the language and to encourage them not only to speak Chinese, but to think Chinese as well. When English is spoken by students, their immersion into the Chinese language is limited and the learning process is hindered.

The Language Practicum.
Most universities have this program especially designed for foreign students who want to learn proficiency in the Chinese language. Usually, each week, students participate in two to four hours of language practicum, where they are assigned projects which require them to use their Chinese outside of the classroom with local citizens. The formats include on-site visits, information-gathering, interviews, oral presentations, news reports and debates. Once a project has been completed, students report on it to their class.

Field Trips.
Usually, universities in China will organize field trips for all students where they could visit China’s famous landmarks such as the Great Wall, the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, The Bund, and many others. Through these field trips, the students are not only provided with a change from the usual high-intensity language classes but offer students an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of Chinese area studies and to continue their practice of Chinese outside the classroom.

Guest Lectures.
To break the monotony of the usual classroom discussions, , universities usually invite some resource speakers outside the university to give lectures, symposium, or demonstration.

Extracurricular Activities
In response to the diverse interests and needs of the students, Chinese universities provide various alternative learning activities and extracurricular activities. Some of the activities enjoyed most by foreign students and domestic student as well are learning calligraphy, tai-chi, cooking and to take choir classes. More importantly, the universities also make it a point that the students demonstrate the skills they have learned by organizing some activities where students could perform in front of an audience of classmates, faculty and friends.

Housing
Your first decision will be whether to live in a dormitory room or an apartment. Although dormitories are relatively expensive, it is so far the best and actually the only option you have. By staying in the dormitory, you will be living with other foreigners, but will have ample opportunity to speak Chinese as only a few of them will speak English. Dormitory life is a fascinating cultural experience in itself.

However, for those who prefer to stay in an apartment, Yes-Asia could provide you with the most quality service to guarantee that your accommodation needs will be met with high satisfactory. With its wide resources, Yes-Asia could bring you to the cheap but elegant apartments in the city and near the school.

Local Secrets
Yes-Asia provides its clients with the insider tips, practical lessons and advice on local hot spots and helpful tidbits of information to make your learning experience in China even better. You will understand far more about the life and culture of Chinese people than the average student in Beijing or Shanghai. Not only will you make Chinese friends, you will quickly develop the skills to converse with them in their native language.