Definitely the time of my life! I couldn't ask for anything better. I learned a lot about China through courses and field trips. In Shanghai I stood in the room where the first Communist meeting was held. You get chills when you think about what actually happened. Nanjing, Sanzhou, Hanzhou and Wuxi were equally impressive. To get a history lesson in the place it happened is priceless.
Beijing is a fun and exciting city with many entertainment and recreational opportunities.
Students will find everything from historic sites and museums to, theaters, night clubs, cafes, and much much more.
In addition to KEI-organized cultural activities and field trips, students are encouraged to participate in campus clubs and events.
The International Student Union organizes cultural and sport activities throughout the semester.
UIBE holds open lectures on Chinese calligraphy, opera and drama, martial arts, and other topics.
There are various sports facilities on campus including a swimming pool, football field, basketball, volleyball, tennis, badminton, etc.
Table tennis, pool-tables and a gym are located in Huibin House Residence Hall.
Housing & meals
Students live at the International Student Residence on campus.
Rooms are double occupancy and shared with other students studying at UIBE.
Each room has a bathroom, TV and telephone.
UIBE has a dining hall that serves standard Chinese food.
Meals in the dining hall are relatively inexpensive - RMB 10-20 ($1.50 - $3).
The campus also has a cafe for snacks and drinks, and two restaurants offering Middle Eastern/Mediterranean and western-style cuisine.
A wide variety of restaurants are available near the university and throughout Beijing. An average meal at a Chinese restaurant is approximately RMB 20-40 ($3-$6).
There is a supermarket and several grocery stores near the campus.
Getting around town
The Underground Dragon (metro) is the best way of traveling quickly within Beijing.
The bus and trolley system is also convenient with more than 130 routes.
There is a bus stop outside the university main gate.
Taxis and bicycles are plentiful and relatively inexpensive.
The standard taxi is approximately $1.50 initial fee plus $1 for every 10 km.
Bicycles are VERY popular in Beijing as well as in the rest of China.
There are numerous bike-rental stores in the streets around hotels and tourist spots.
Phones & internet
KEI will provide a prepaid mobile phone shortly after arrival in Beijing.
The KEI Onsite Director will explain how to use the phone.
The phone will have a small amount of credit to get you started.
Additional minutes can be purchased at numerous convenience stores.
Internet service is available on campus.
The Chinese government censors the Internet, so not all websites can be accessed in China.
The censoring software is not very precise.
Although it is designed to block/remove content that is considered to be "inappropriate" (pornography, certain political viewpoints, etc.), it often blocks much more.
Definitely the time of my life! I couldn't ask for anything better. I learned a lot about China through courses and field trips. In Shanghai I stood in the room where the first Communist meeting was held. You get chills when you think about what actually happened. Nanjing, Sanzhou, Hanzhou and Wuxi were equally impressive. To get a history lesson in the place it happened is priceless.
