🏠 Housing
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
175/month
Where was it located?
Within the school
How can someone find this place?
You discover it when you arrive in the campus
Would you recommend it?
Living in the dorm was the best idea, especially in Beijing. The city is so big that it's almost impossible to find good accommodation near the school. Classes can start as early as 8am and finish as late as 10pm, so staying on site is a real bonus. What's more, it makes it easier to make friends from all over the world, ensuring your exchange is a wonderful experience and you meet some amazing people. Of course, dorm life has its drawbacks, such as the midnight curfew and the occasional lack of privacy, with three or four people sharing a room. But you get used to it quickly, and it wasn't a problem for me at all during my exchange. On the contrary, it was the best thing to do
🍻 Social Life
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
We had quite a few nights out in Sanlitun, where the clubs and bars are really nice. I especially recommend going to the international clubs. In Chinese clubs, people don't dance, they just smoke. The Bacardi nightclub is the best club we've tried.
🎓 Uni life at BJTU
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I took the MBA programme and the courses were quite affordable and straightforward. We also took Chinese classes to learn the language better and be able to get by more easily in our daily lives. But you have to be diligent because the learning is quite intense and studying regularly helps you understand the language better.
Do you have some tips?
The campus is really huge, with lots of canteens, supermarkets, hairdressers, shops... but it's very difficult to find your way around the first few times because the campus is so big. It will also be difficult to ask for help at first, as very few people speak English. Administrative tasks can be tedious, and it is very difficult to get a response from the university before you arrive, but nothing is impossible; you just have to know how to get by.
✈️ Travel
Best trips to do?
Large cities are very accessible thanks to high-speed trains, but the cost can be very high. Beijing is a large city with many things to see, such as the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, Universal Studios, and various sections of the Great Wall.
🌆 Beijing vibe
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Beijing?
Live is very cheap from a French point of view. The food is really good, especially Beijing duck, you have a lot of place where you can buy souvenirs and the transports are really cheap (bus, metro and also didi). The city is really crowded at every time so sometimes you have to be patient but the city is really amazing especially during the night.
💡 Other Tips
Don't hesitate to interact with people; the Chinese are very friendly and welcoming. Prepare well before you arrive and find out as much as you can about life here (install WeChat/Alipay, get a good VPN, etc.) and be prepared for the culture shock, which can be quite intense. This country and this city are full of resources, so if you are well prepared, you will live here without difficulty and without experiencing too much homesickness.
Talk to Jeanne
Need advice? Got questions?