A Handbook for Study Abroad at

BEFORE YOU GO: A Checklist

Obtain 8-10 passport size photographs. You will need them for various purposes before departure and while in China.

In consultation with the Office of Enrollment Services, apply for a Student (X) visa for China. The visa fee varies according to how many times you plan to enter, depart, and re-enter China during your study abroad experience. Mailed applications are no longer accepted. You must either apply in person in New York City, or designate a friend or other agent to drop off the application for you.

Make a photocopy of the first page of your passport for yourself and be sure that you have provided a copy to the Office of Enrollment Services.

Check WEBDSIS to see that you have been registered for INS 390 Semester in China

Discuss with your advisor how you will sign up for the following semester’s classes (you will be in China during pre-registration.)

Apply for an International Student Identification Card (ISIC) by returning the ISIC application along with an ID-sized photo to the Office of Enrollment Services. Payment for this card is included in your program fee.

Talk with your financial aid advisor if you receive aid. (Do not assume that your aid will be automatically increased to cover any additional expenses).

Complete and return the Medical Information form to the Office of Enrollment Services.

Obtain the necessary/recommended inoculations. See the website of Center for Disease Control at <http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm>

Reserve your flight to Beijing. Provide a copy of your itinerary to the Office of Enrollment Services.

Remember to reconfirm your flight reservations 72 hours before departure. For international flights, you should be at the airport at least three hours prior to departure time.

IMPORTANT DATES
The fall term begins September 1 and runs through December. The spring term
begins February 25 through mid-July. There are18-20 weeks per term and approximately 20 hours per week of class. Students may plan to arrive in Beijing 3-4 days in advance of term beginning.

MONEY
The cost of the program fee you pay to UMF includes tuition (15 credits) and fees and the $22.00 ISIC fee. The cost of round-trip transportation to Beijing varies and students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own flights.  Once in China, room, meals (or a meal allowance), textbooks, and health care coverage are provided at no cost to you by BPU. In addition to these expenses, you can expect to pay, out of your own pocket, the costs of additional travel / excursions; meals taken outside the cafeteria; immunizations; visas; passports; and other incidental expenses. Regular financial aid may be applied to the cost of the trip; (excepting UMF international student tuition waivers which may not be applied toward study abroad costs) so be sure to see your Financial Aid advisor if you qualify for aid. FYI: Exchange rates vary, but the current exchange rate is around 8 Chinese yuan to U.S. $1.00 (10/2005).

EXCHANGING MONEY
American Express Traveler’s Checks can be converted into Chinese currency in China. You may go to banks or Friendship stores to exchange your money (Be sure to bring your passport). Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted at large department stores and you may be able to use your ATM card* (Check with the issuer)

WHAT TO PACK
Clothes –do not bring a lot of clothes, and certainly not good ones, since they get dirty easily. Plan to buy some of your clothes there, since they are very inexpensive.
-nice dress/ nice shirt and tie
-plenty of socks and underwear
-a warm jacket, gloves, and a hat
-sweatshirts and jeans and warm clothes for layering

Other
-cd player, cd’s
- washcloths and towels
-some pictures from home and a U.S. map to share with your new friends
-a knapsack
-sturdy shoes, warm boots, waterproof shoes
-flip-flops for the showers
-sunglasses (due to the amount of blowing sand)
-medication, prescriptions if you take any and other over-the-counter medications such as Immodium A.D., Tylenol and cold medicine.
-Deodorant (not a common item in China), dental floss
- About electrical appliances* All power outlets in China are 220v. (110v. in the U.S.) It is better to buy a hairdryer or other electrical appliances there. If you take a laptop computer, be sure to get an adaptor that will accommodate 220v. power.

THE FIRST FEW DAYS – I’M HERE, NOW WHAT?
Someone from the International Exchange Center will normally arrange to meet you upon your arrival at the airport in Beijing. If for some reason, you are unable to find that person, you should find a phone and call Ms. Hao, Director of the foreign student’s office at 10 6739 1858. Alternatively try 10-6739-1857 or 10-6739-1590 (24 hours)
If you can’t reach anyone or there is some kind of emergency, you can take a taxi to the university. The ride takes between 30-40 minutes and should cost between 80-100 yuan. Once at the residence hall, request another student to give you an orientation to your surroundings (there is no formal program). Senior students will help you accomplish settling in tasks like getting a student ID and finding out where and what to eat and where and when to show up for the initial testing you’ll need before you can sign into classes.

CALLING THE UNITED STATES
Check with your long-distance carrier for information on how to call collect, person-to-person, etc. International phone cards provide handy and inexpensive long distance calling as well. Use E-mail; it’s very inexpensive and convenient!

CALLING CHINA
*Note: Beijing is 13 hours ahead of Maine during Daylight Savings; so 8 P.M. in the U.S. is 9 A.M. the next day in Beijing. To call China from the USA:
011 (International) 86(the country code of China) 10 (Beijing) xxxx-xxxx

The international student dormitory office number is:
011-86-10-6739-1857 or 011-86-10-6739-1590 (24 hours)

Important numbers (give these out as EMERGENCY numbers to your family/friends)

Ms.. Wu, Wenying, Director of International Exchanges,
Mrs. Hao, Qinghua, Director of Foreign Student’s Office
011-86-10-6739-1465 / 011-86-10-6739-1858
E-mail: bpuiec3@bjut.edu.cn

MAIL

Mail is delivered to the residence hall. The mailing address you can give to friends and family is your name in care of:
International Exchange Center
Beijing University of Technology
100 Pingleyuan, Beijing 100022
CHINA

EMAIL

There is a small computing lab on the first floor of the residence hall. Internet cafes are also springing up around Beijing. Ask around. Be sure to have your maine.edu mail forwarded if you decide to use a different service provider.

THE RESIDENCE HALL
The residence hall is an easy five minute walk from campus. Exchange students from UMF will be assigned to a double room with a roommate of non-Chinese origin in the international residence hall. The residence hall building also houses the office of international exchange center, weight rooms, a computer room, and a small store. There are kitchens on each floor as well as free clothes washers (but no dryers), and hot showers. Rooms have beds and bedding, desks, chairs, wardrobes, a television and a phone, (you will need to purchase a phone card from the lobby of the building to use the phones, however). Doors are locked at 10:00 pm. If you plan to return later than this, let someone know ahead of time, so they can let you in.

CAFETERIA
Several cafeteria-style restaurants are available on campus, offering a variety of Chinese foods. You will be given 500 yuan (or about $60) per month as a food allowance. You may choose to purchase a meal ticket to be used at any of the campus cafeterias. A kitchen is also available on each floor in the dorm so you may choose to prepare your own meals there. You may wish to bring additional money to supplement the meal allowance.

SHOPPING
There are four supermarkets within an easy bike ride of the university. Supermarkets sell much more than food; they are really more like department stores. There are modern, high-rise department stores in the center of the city. Most of the fast food chains can also be found in Beijing. There are a wide variety of shopping opportunities from local shops and vendors to large stores.

CLASSES
The purpose of the course is to give the students comprehensive training in the Chinese Language. Emphasis will be placed on the development of reading, writing, listening and speaking skills and includes subjects such as Basic Chinese, Chinese Conversation, Listening Comprehension, Newspaper Reading, the Practical Writing of Chinese, Literature etc. You will be tested the first week of classes to determine which level of classes you will take.

You may also be invited to teach an English class (textbook provided), for which you will receive a small monthly stipend (900 yuan or around $100). Preparation prior to departure to China is encouraged.

CHINESE GRADING
The Chinese grading system is based on a numerical scale. 60% - 80% of student’s grades are determined by the results of final exams. Generally speaking, course work is demanding and standards are high.

CREDITS/GRADES
A transcript will be sent to the Office of Enrollment Services by Beijing University of Technology. Students will be graded for each individual course taken (usually 4) and credits will be posted on their UMF transcript accordingly. Students can earn up to 15 credits upon successful completion of all courses.

WEATHER
Beijing experiences four seasons, with the winter months being very similar to ours in Maine. During the winter months, buildings are never above 68 and are cold and drafty. Heat is turned on November 15, but the weather is often quite cold before that time. The summer is very hot, and wind and sandstorms may occur.

HEALTH QUESTIONS
A physical exam prior to going is advised. Should you need medical attention in China, health care will be provided to you free of charge at the University clinic, with your choice of physician and hospital if necessary. Some students have had negative reactions to flu shots taken just prior to leaving. Limited insurance coverage on a reimbursement system is also included with your International Student Identification Card.
For information about suggested immunizations, visit the website of the Center for Disease Control and choose East Asia from the drop down menu.

TRAVEL
Beijing has very efficient and inexpensive public transportation and there is much to see within the city itself. Long and short trips outside Beijing are organized on a voluntary basis and at the student‚s own expense. BUT has bicycles available on loan for UMF student use. Always carry identification when traveling, regardless of the distance. Guidebooks such as Let’s Go China can provide helpful information regarding travel in China. In addition, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing web site and its links provide important information. You may find it at www.usembassy-china.org.cn/english/index.html.

ABOUT FLIGHTS
You will book your own flight for travel to and from China. Several travel agencies specializing in student travel have good deals and good service. You may of course, also choose to buy from a local travel agent or from the internet. BEWARE: Many students decide to change their travel plans after they've made reservations. This can be expensive to impossible. Know the details before you buy.

PERSONAL SAFETY
With the predominant military presence, there is little violent crime in China. As you would anywhere, use common sense. For example, females should not go out alone after dark. BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS!
*For important safety information, visit the US Department of State's website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1219.html

U.S. EMBASSY
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing is available to assist you in an emergency.
Their telephone number (if calling from within China) is 6532-3431 or
6532-3831. After hours emergency embassy number is 6532-1910. If calling
from the United States, please add prefixes 011 (International outgoing
call) 86 (China country code) 10 (Beijing area code) to the above numbers.
The embassy FAX number is 011-86-10-6532-4153 or 011-86-10-6532-3178. It is
highly recommended that you register yourself with the U.S. Embassy in China
upon your arrival in China. You may do this online at the embassy web site:
www.usembassy-china.org.cn\english\index.html.