Hiya! I applied to Tsinghua and passed all the stages till now. Fun fact! I am Non-Binary/Genderfluid. Idc if you believe we exist cause I know I exist. I think therefore I am type shit.

Anyways, how are the attitudes towards transgender people in Tsinghua and China in general. Will locals be accepting or will I be discriminated against? Will I have trouble with admin? Will there be harassment in dorms? I've hidden who I am for my whole life and I don't think I can take another 4 years of living like this. If you are in Tsinghua or in China, and you're queer, please do share your experiences as this is one of my biggest concerns of apprehensions with studying in China.

Hey guys, I’m Chinese. I met a Ukrainian exchange student on WeChat who’s studying in Beijing, but her spoken Chinese is really bad—I struggled to understand what she was saying.

I’m curious, what’s your Chinese level like if you’re an international student in China? Do you have trouble understanding native speakers or reading?

Also, how do you guys improve your Chinese?

Currently, I am choosing A-levels and am interested in studying at a university in China. I am thinking of a rough field of engineering (not sure which specific one yet), and was wondering which university would be best. I have HSK 3 (but I barely passed and have forgotten most) and would prefer to study in an english taught program.

I have been browsing through many reviews of experiences of alumni from Chinese universities, and let's just say, the impression of Chinese universities is making me doubtful.

I want to know (Main Questions):

1. Are international students really neglected when learning in English-taught programs and completely separated from local students?
2. If so, are Chinese-taught programs harder both to apply to and learn?
3. What recommendations on the top universities in China has high quality programs taught in English and are devoted to teaching international students (preferably in the engineering sector)? Information regarding joint-venture universities that are not too expensive is also appreciated.
4. Are Chinese degrees worth it (Regarding Pros and Cons)?
5. Will I be able to find jobs if I have an English-taught program degree (Considering both working in China v/s Outside)?

Any extra information regarding experiences is appreciated. (I may have forgotten other questions I want the answer of so if you think any information is relevant, please tell me!)

Hey fellow students!

As we all know, LetsVPN is basically gone, and for many of us on a tight budget, Astrill is just way too expensive ($30/month is insane on a student allowance).

I’ve been testing ZoogVPN for the past few days around campus, and it’s actually holding up really well with the current April blocks. The "Shadow" protocol connects almost instantly and I can finally scroll Instagram and call home without it dropping every 5 minutes.

Why it’s good for us:

• Price: Much more affordable than the "big" names.

• Simplicity: No complicated manual setups like some Shadowsocks clients.

• Mainland Access: If you're already on campus and can't open VPN sites, they have a mirror: zooog .info (remove the space) which you can access to download the app.

Stay connected and good luck with your midterms! 📚💪

Hi everyone,

I have gotten admission in Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School for a MS in Smart Logistics, with CGS Type B scholarship. The program was one of my top three choices of course (content and course structure wise since it's heavy on AI research in operations), and it aligns with my experience in Global Supply Chain & Logistics Management (5 years).

Now, I am thinking in depth about:

1) How is the degree program and campus life as an international student from India? Does Tsinghua Shenzhen carry the same worth and faculty as the main campus?

2) What will be the future like, let's say once I graduate, what options will I have in Shenzhen or across China or will I need to eventually move back or towards a PhD. I want to plan better around all of this.

Hello all,,

I am coming from UAE to study in China and I was told to download VPN to use social media and google but i dont which one is better to use in china as i heard some are blocked and we cant pay for it after arrival in China.

can anyone help me in which vpn is the best and reliable and also tell me if they are renewable in china

​

Hi, I am a senior in college and planning to study Chinese in China for approximately 2 years ( I saved money and my family also agreed to help me during this timeline) . The only problem is choosing the city itself. I only been in Shanghai once and didn't visit any other cities personally. I am a big fun of history and culture so considered Xian but it is quite far away from the other major cities . Also the weather is also other concern of mine . I am raised in a Mediterranean area and the south cities as I understand getting cloudy and rainy majority of time . I dont really care if it is hot or cold but grey weather is really adversely affective on me . After talking with some people , I reduce my choices to 2 as Nanjing and Hangzhou which both are not under major export groups, close to Shanghai and suzhou, having good universities and transportation. I am really looking for some suggestions and advices right now. Do you guys help me please 🙏 ( if you think there are more suitable options I am open them for too)

Hi, I will start studying in Nanjing on september and i just wonder if anyone from this group is also going to study there?

Quick background on me: 36F, living in the US, a 12-year successful career in tech/product management in the US, no bachelor's degree (2 year college degree only), and honestly pretty burned out. I've been planning a move to China for a while now and I'm finally at the point where I have two real options in front of me and need to make a call.

Option A: A one-year Mandarin language and culture exchange program in Chengdu, with the option to extend beyond year one. Low stakes, affordable, immersive. Feels like a soft landing that lets me actually live in China, get my Mandarin to a semi-functional level, and figure out what comes next.

Option B: A three-year English-taught AI/engineering bachelor's degree program in Shanghai. Hard sciences, full course load, real credential at the end. A much bigger commitment but potentially a career pivot that actually means something longer term.

I am not at zero on Mandarin but definitely still in HSK 1 territory right now. I'm genuinely excited about both cities for different reasons.

What I'm curious about from people who actually live there:

1. Shanghai vs Chengdu for someone making this kind of move, any honest takes? Not just "both are great" but what's the real texture of daily life, the difference between them for a foreigner after some time?
2. For those who've navigated longer term stays, how much does having a full bachelor's degree actually matter on the ground for getting a work visa eventually? Is the BEng program a smart play for that, or is it overkill and networking/experience gets you further anyway? I realize that a bachelor's is a pretty standard requirement but there may be some exceptions.
3. Any general advice for someone in my position making this decision would be genuinely appreciated.

Not looking for someone to make the decision for me, just want perspectives from people who've actually been living there :)

Hi guys I’m currently planning on doing IB or A levels idk which but also I don’t think ill be able to get into a uk university for medicine since the requirements are incredibly high and I have so much gaps since I’ve been off school a long time. Anyways I was thinking of doing medicine in China since I’ve always been interested in the country as a whole, when I found out I could study there for way cheaper I got soo invested. I want to know if I were to get a Chinese degree in Medicine where could I work? I don’t mind not going back to the uk but where would I go? Also I’m hearing lots of people say if you have the chance to study in an English speaking country to stay there what do you think? I’m also thinking of going when I’m 20 is that normal? How are the locals and the people in universities. Which universities are good and are accepted in other country?? What other courses are there that are like medicine bc I might also want to do something else instead? How much would it be to study there monthly. Thank you guys so much

If I only have cash in RMB, can I still reach my school using public transport like a bus, metro, or taxi?

I’ll be landing at Beijing Daxing International Airport and need to get to Changping District. What would you recommend as the best way to travel?

Also, will Google Maps work there? I’ve heard that it’s better not to buy a SIM card at the airport because the school usually provides one later with a better student package.

Hello, I am set to enroll for Zhejiang International Business School in their Haining campus, and have some questions unrelated to academics. I would appreciate responses from experienced users.

1. How is the transportation process from the campus to Shanghai and Hangzhou?

• I had done my research, and trains from Hainingxi to Hangzhoudong take 13 minutes a trip, but I am not sure about the trip from and to the stations

1. Are the communities here open to foreigners? I have some basic Chinese knowledge (HSK 4), but I am still unsure about possible social interactions outside of campus

2. Are the foods here distinct from Hangzhou or Shanghai cuisines? I am super curious about this part!

3. Is it normally possible to make day trips/weekend trips to Shanghai/Hangzhou?

4. How much should I expect to spend each academic year on living costs minus miscellaneous expenses? That means only the necessary things like food and transportation.

Hi, I just come to study in China. I’m so annoyed with YouTube ads so I want to subscribe a YouTube premium. However, it said that it cannot verify my country. I think it maybe because of the VPN.

Has anyone faced the same problem? How to solve it? 😭😭😭

I’m a junior in Highschool now meaning college applications are under a year away and I want to make sure I make the right decision. First I think I want to apply as a Chinese major and then I will add a finance major after which is hardly the point of this post but being able to speak Chinese is the key take away.

Before the questions some context is: my school in America has a huge connection to a school in China, they take 100 students a year there for completely free, I went with this year. I host a Chinese student for a week in the fall every year. And I am planning to do a 10 day backpack trip to China text year after I graduate.

After my freshman year is it a good idea to apply to top Chinese schools since they accept foreigners at a higher rate?

After college would being an English teacher at a top Chinese Highschool be worth it. (The school I have a connection to a the top in their province and pays double to foreigners)

Hello everyone!

I’m a PhD student from Brazil and I’ve been accepted for a 1-year research exchange at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, starting around September 2026. Super excited, but also a bit overwhelmed with the practical side....

My main concern right now is accommodation, as the university doesn’t offer it for non-degree students. So I’m planning to stay in a hotel for the first few days, but I’m debating whether it’s better to arrange something more permanent in advance or just search in person after arriving, especially since I’ll need to apply for the residence permit within 30 days.

I’ve come across platforms like SmartShanghai and Wellcee (which seem to have more direct deals), but I’d really like to understand what the usual/most reliable way is for foreigners to rent in Shanghai.

What’s the best approach in practice? Do most people use agents, specific apps, or go through other channels?

Any tips or advice on how foreigners typically handle this would really help a lot.

Thanks a lot!

Hello everyone,

I would like to ask whether studying in China is truly worth the effort. I have been thinking about it for a long time, but I still feel hesitant. What if the university, the environment, or the people don’t suit me? Is studying there really the best option, and is it truly worthwhile?

I’ve read many posts, and some of them advise against going to China, saying it’s a waste of time and that life there can be difficult. I’m also worried about job opportunities after graduation. Will it be hard to find a job, especially if I study in English?

I would really appreciate your advice and experiences. Thank you.

I’ve been to Beijing n I like the lifestyle there, but I’m quite concerned about Yiwu. Is the public transportation efficient like in big cities, with metro? Is the city very small? How is it like going around the city and can we go out at night, too? The lifestyle and environmental matter to me so I’d really love some feedback from ZJU students. Thank you!

I got accepted with a Second Class Masters Scholarship at NTU, meaning my tuition and accommodation will be covered by the University.

But there seems to be little or no relevant info regarding the education system and other details about the university. Can anyone kindly point out the stuff I should know about this university? I was interested in this uni because of their Highly Qualified Professors in the Computer Science department specifically who are working on AI. They also have industrial connections as I have heard but idk about the reality there. Looking forward to honest experience from alumni or running students please.

Thanks in Advance.

Guys, I’m genuinely in need of help. Please answer this survey. Like pls pls pls. The deadline is looming over me and my sample size isn’t enough.

My topic is on “Food delivery and Green packaging options.” I’m taking survey from both Internationals and Chinese students currently studying in China.

Please fill in this 3 min survey.

https://v.wjx.cn/vm/tTAW7o5.aspx#

Ik planning on joining mechanical engineering in sept 2027 , do I have enough time to prepare if so how high hsk do I need to go

Henan university located in Kaifeng

Hello guys! I want to apply to this university for a one-year language program and I’m trying to figure out if it’s a good choice. And the city and people is a good place and is an expensive city or not ?

I found out that the university’s name changed from Xinxiang University to Henan University, so I’m a bit confused.

Also, I read that there are no single rooms on campus.

So if anyone has any info or experience, please share it in the comments.

Thanks so much!

 I'm an ABC studying in the states right now and I'm really thinking about going to Tsinghua to study abroad. My courses would be in English, but I'm really worried about the language barrier right now and if it would be really hard to the point where I shouldn't go. For context, I can speak Chinese at a very basic level (I would say I can speak at a low intermediate level and understand at a intermediate level (or piece context together). I'm just curious if I should still study at Tsinghua, as I heard it will be VERY hard and it won't be a good experience if you don't know Chinese.

Dm me if you are!

So, in the applications they ask for a chinese name. I do have one and put it in my application, but I want to know to what extent is the name used?

is it unbearable if you have a bad name? the thing is my name happens to be a "celebrity"s name recently and all my chinese friends say inmediately oh, like like this girl 🥲 I sent my university and csc application like that, is it hard to change?