A Guide for Foreign Exchange Students Coming to Study in Beijing

Choosing to come to Beijing, whether it be through a study abroad or foreign exchange program, can be both daunting and alluring in equal measure. Chinese culture is still largely understood by those living in the West and for better or worse most of the news and media portray China as a dangerous entity that'll end up starting World War III (well, at least when Russia is behaving). That being said, coming to the heart of China may be one of the most enriching decisions that you ever make for yourself. With an area of around 16,800 square kilometers, and a population of over 22 million, its a city that you could explore endlessly and makes a great hub for getting out to see the rest of Asia.

As a foreign exchange student myself, there are things I wish I would have known and things that I have learned in my short time after of living here. Below is a short list of my two cents on living in Beijing so far, which will hopefully enlighten and help anyone else thinking about making the trek over.

Surviving the infamous pollution
Before coming to Beijing, I was bombarded with facts and statistics about the pollution here. I had this image in my head that every day I would constantly be surrounded in a haze. Really though, there are days where that image is in fact, a reality. But unbeknownst to some, the AQI fluctuates. So there will also be days where you can actually see the sun. Read more

You can get a leg workout while going to the bathroom
The squat toilet is a Chinese specialty that many are not aware of until they are standing over a hole in the ground, and are expected to use it. That or go outside, where you'll have to do much the same. While it is not hard to get the hang of, it is something that everyone should be prepared to have to do. Pro tip: always carry toilet paper because many places do not supply it. Read more

Overpack (or be prepared to go without) on things that are hard to find here
Shoes you typically cannot find above a size 8 in womens or 10 in mens. For girls, tampons are not common in China and even if you find them, they are expensive. If you take any vitamins or medicine, I would advise buying those in bulk because navigating a Chinese pharmacy can be daunting unless you are fluent in the language. Side note: Typically Chinese do not eat that much cheese and I have yet to find real brownies. If you like pizza though, you will never go without.

Want to call, text, and buy things in one place? There's an app for that
WeChat is an app you can get on your smartphone that people live by here. On WeChat you can do things from calling people, text people, read restaurant reviews, buy movie tickets, pay for things, share your moments (pictures and thoughts), and see how to get to where you want to go. Its ease of use, group chat functions, and inexpensiveness (free) means that texting is now almost completely in China.
Get WeChat here

Have ways to get cash
People here either pay via WeChat or by cash, which means that cards are slowly dying out. If you are staying here for along period of time, I would recommend getting a Chinese bank card. Once you have one, you then have access to paying via WeChat or utilizing other Chinese apps like Didi Dache (Chinese Uber) that require you to use a Chinese bank card.

Get involved
There are many ways to get involved on and around campus and help immerse yourself in the culture. You can find activities from fencing and roller-blading to acapella groups or various sports teams. Many universities have clubs you can join, and I’ve noticed the international student community is very strong as well. Read more

Immerse yourself
Pay attention to your visa type because it's likely that you won't be allowed to work here legally if on anything but a work visa and permit. However, many Chinese companies are always on the lookout for interns which are a great way to obtain some experience while figuring out the city. I've had some mentors tell me that Beijing is its own network, and it is up to you to make the connections that might help you get to where you want to be later in life. As an exercise science major, I never thought I would find myself interning for a magazine, yet alone writing blogs like these, but it has already proven itself an enriching experience!

Learn Chinese!
While Chinese is a very hard language, spend as much time immersing yourself in it as you can. The more you listen and force yourself to speak, the easier it gets and people are very appreciative. There are many people on campuses and around China who are interested in learning other languages, so it's very easy to find people who will trade you Chinese practice for you! Learn more about Chinese Internet Slang here

Always screenshot the map of where you want to go
I’ve noticed that once I get in a taxi, sometimes the driver doesn’t know exactly where I want to go, or that it’s hard to explain my destination. Additionally, navigating all the ring roads and places around Beijing can be very confusing given the vast expanse of the city. Have a plan for where you want to go and know how to get there and back before you head out. If you do choose to take Uber or Didi, here are some tips on how to stay safe.

Learn how to barter
As with any new country, numbers should be one of the first things your make an attempt to learn. I have made the mistake of overpaying for things that I could have probably gotten for much cheaper. Everyone has. Bartering though, is an art in its own right, and one has to know when it is appropriate to do, and when it is not. Basically, any store that is an official brand or a store in a mall or shopping center, it's generally not accepted to barter. Bartering should be saved for places like wholesale markets, outdoor sellers, or for services such as riding in a rickshaw (or black cabs).

Crossing Beijing streets is like a game of Frogger
Here, cars will just come at you from all directions, and sometimes despite attempts to ban some vehicles, bikes and hoverboards still often ride merrily along on the sidewalk. My advice is never to walk around texting or looking at your phone, just because you need to pay attention to what may or may not be coming your way.

Get used to people staring at you or wanting to take pictures
Embrace it, you’re a local celebrity. 

Eat as much as you can
I was most excited to come to China to experience new foods. Generally, the rule of thumb is not to eat anything that you don’t have to peel or cook, and eat at street carts at your own risk. As my immune system starts to adapt to Chinese food though, I find myself becoming more relaxed in what I eat. However, using your best judgement still is must. Wash fruits and vegetables, and when choosing restaurants, only eat at the ones that look sanitary. Ultimately, Beijing is full of food – whether it be more Western-style food or authentic Peking duck, and no matter how many times you decide to eat a day, there will still be more for you to explore. Luckily for you, the Beijinger writes about the city's new eats on a daily basis.

Going out is easy as a foreigner, but be careful of fake alcohol
Be warned, a lot of alcohol in non-established bars in China is considered fake. Pay attention to where you are buying your alcohol from – especially if you are in a club where they are using pre-opened bottles of liquor. In student-heavy parts of the city (aka Wudaokou), you may often find that clubs have promotors that actively try to find foreigners to come to their club so as to appear "popular." This is good in that you can often get in for free, and even drink for free (!), but be warned, these are exactly the type of places that'll stock fake booze. Read more

Need something? Shop on TaoBao
The Chinese version of Amazon can be very helpful if you need some cheap anything, from electronics to clothes, food to ... well, literally anything. One downside: the website is entirely in Chinese. My advice is to learn how to type the pinyin for what you are trying to find and then to look at the pictures. Never buy something that has no reviews or hasn’t been bought before. Also, I always read the reviews whether it be having a Chinese friend read it or turning on translate on my web browser (however that is not as accurate).
Read more on the joys of Taobao

Make Chinese friends
My biggest asset to surviving Beijing, since I am not fluent in Chinese, has been my Chinese roommate. Even if you just meet some Chinese students who want you to tutor them in your native language, the opportunity to make that opportunity worth so much more will pay off considerably. My roommate helps me order things on Taobao as well as getting around the city. It is also much more enriching to have someone to take you and show you hidden local gems, and is a great way to make new, lasting relationships that you many never have had otherwise!

Live out the cliché and make the most of your time here
Beijing is such a huge city and there is so much to do, so you will never be bored if you keep exploring. I have only been here for two months, and I can guarantee you that you will walk out of here with some of the greatest friends and favorite memories of your life (even if they're not all good at the time)!

Photos: Heather Cigas