Learn to Speak Chinese & Living in China FAQs

Learn to speak Chinese Mandarin with Study China in China. Below are some FAQs addressing practical aspects of moving to China.

If you have any other specific questions about your coming to China or on how to learn to speak Chinese we will be more than happy to assist you. You contact us and we will get back to you within one working day.

1. Why should I trust the standards and quality of service offered in Study China?

Our staff members are from a variety of western countries. They have all been exposed to the difficulties of adapting to China and they know best how to deal with concerns and problems newcomers may have when first coming to China before they learn to speak Chinese.

2. Which kind of visa is required to study in China?

One of two kinds of Visas are required to study in China.

F visa - to study in China for a period no longer than 6 months.

X visa to study in China for a period longer than 6 months. A physical examination is required for those students who want to apply to this option

Study China will assist you in these matters.

3. How difficult is to find medicine in China?

You can find pharmacies everywhere in China. Pharmacies in China offer most medicines, including western and Chinese. However we strongly recommend you bring all prescription medication with you before you arrive in China. We advise you to bring your medical records with you if you have pre-existing health conditions.

4. Are vaccinations required to come to China?

No vaccines are required to come to China. However it is recommended to check the following vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese B Encephalitis, Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Typhoid. Also check with the authorities in your country as you will see that they may recommend certain medication for certain areas in China.

5. What clothing should I bring?

The weather can differ considerably from one area of the country to another. You should bring appropriate clothing depending on the period when you are coming. However do not overdue it. Clothing is very cheap in China. Study China organizes trips to the most famous markets in the cities you will be based at. From our experience we know that people end up buying more than what they can take home with them.

6. What is the voltage used in plugs in China?

The voltage used is 220V. Converters and power strips may be purchased locally.

7. What are the weather conditions like in China?

The climate in Beijing is of the continental type, it can be extremely hot and extremely cold with cold and dry winters. In Beijing the temperature can reach up to 35 degrees Celsius in the summer and –10 in the winter. In Shanghai the temperature is milder but more humid.

Please contact us directly before your arrival date and we can give you specific information on the climatic conditions of your point of destination.

8. Is it safe to eat street food?

There are many diverse opinions about this issue. Some people suffer from stomach problems like diarrhea after eating street food but it is not the general case. Generally speaking a dose of Imodium will solve these problems. In any case we recommend you stay away from street food, at least do so after having just arrived in the country. You will find that your tolerance to Chinese cuisine will increase after time as your body adjusts to it.

9. I am allergic to certain types of food. What shall I do about it?

Our advice here is to make it clear to us what food you are allergic to. We can then teach you how to make sure in Chinese that it is not in the dishes you order or used to cook them.

10. How can I exchange money in China?

We will help you do this once here. A foreigner can bring cash and change it at the Bank of China for RMB. Foreign money can be exchanged in China through traveler's cheques currency conversion at banks and hotels. Credit cards can also be used at certain ATMs.

Cash - You can change foreign currency at the airport, banks around the cities and hotels. It is a relatively simple procedure; bring the cash and your passport to the bank or money changer.

Travelers Cheques - These can be cashed at the airport, hotels and banks.

Credit Cards - Cards are widely accepted at major stores, restaurants and hotels around China. It is also possible to get cash advances from ATM machines if you have a pin and from banks with ID. There are now many international ATM machines and they can be found pretty easily in most large Chinese cities.

11. Shall I open a local bank account?

Opening a local account is a good option for longer-term students. This gives them a place to keep cash they have brought with them and they can receive money transfers from abroad. There are a few options when thinking about opening a local account we recommend, Bank of China or Industrial and Commercial Bank. These two banks have many ATM machines and branches around China, including university campuses.

Study China will happily assist you in opening a bank account although going by yourself will be a good option to learn to speak Chinese and practice what you have learned in class.

The local Chinese currency is called Renminbi (often abbreviated as RMB).

12. Can I receive transfers from abroad with a local bank account?

Yes. There will be a small charge made to the person making the bank transfer.

13. How useful is English in China?

Although most signals are written in both Chinese and English, English language is only spoken by a small percentage of the population and mainly in big cities. Subways are user friendly; the stops are written in western characters and have English signs too. However bus lines are only written in Chinese characters becoming a less convenient choice of transport for when you first arrive before you actually learn to speak Chinese.

It is almost impossible to find a taxi driver who can speak English so we suggest you (if you cannot speak Chinese) to show them the address written in Chinese characters before you learn to speak Chinese.

Use this to your advantage and practice your Mandarin with as many people as you can in order to practice and learn to speak Chinese. You will see how you will start picking up on more and more conversations and expressing yourself more. It is hard to say what gratifying a feeling this is.

Once you arrive to Beijing we will write down the addresses and directions for you and teach you how to say them.

14. How easy / hard is it to learn to speak Chinese?

Lessons are of great help and are the basis of learing Chinese. But do try to use what you learn in class outside as much as possible.

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Please click on our Chinese Universities and Language Centres to see where you can learn to speak Chinese.

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