A Blog about Education Abroad

Tag: China

Joanie Geldenhuys at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China
Graduate Academic Forum of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China

The following documents the experience I had while representing Stellenbosch University at the Graduate Academic forum of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC) and will serves as a useful guideline of how to prepare for the trip to China. The GAUC consists of twelve universities, namely MIT, the London School of Economics, University of Cambridge, Australian National University, University of Tokyo, California, Berkeley, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Imperial College London, the Indian Institute of Science, Stellenbosch University and Tsinghua University. The focus of the forum is to establish student-level participation and conversations regarding climate change as a major global challenge and priority for the youth.

Pre-departure

For a visa application at the Chinese embassy you do not need an appointment, it is first come first serve, so it is best to be early. The Chinese VISAs only take a week (which is fairly quick), but try to go at least two weeks in advance, best case a month before. It is advised to take the following:
- Completed online application form. Select type F visa.
- VISA photos according to specifications for Chinese visa photos). Wear a shirt that’s not white so that you stand out against the white background.
- Your invitation letter provided by the conference organisers.
- A leave letter from your study leader saying that you have leave from Stellenbosch University and specifying that you will be required to come back to complete your studies for degree purposes after the trip.
- Official registration letter for VISA purposes from the university.
- Accommodation reservation: if you want to stay a day or two longer in Beijing you will have to provide a booking reservation. Agoda and Bookings.com both have good deals and allows you to pay at the property. To see the sights, I recommend to stay in a place with someone who understands English and is situated safe and central to the main attractions. TripAdvisor has accurate reviews, visitor photos and advice about each place.
- Your flight itinerary.
- A colour copy of your passport Bio page – verified at the post office or the police station that’s open 24hrs.
Additional documents that might prove useful to take with you to the Chinese embassy:
- Three months bank statements with at least $100 per day in your account for the time you’re out of South Africa, but they might not use these depending on your visa type (that can changed by the assistant once you are at the VISA office).
- Flight purchase or some form of indication that you, or a sponsor can/will pay it.
- Travel insurance if you have purchased (not a requirement for Chinese visa but a good idea and not too expensive).
- Conference info and agenda.
Print out the address and directions to your hotel in Chinese/Mandarin to take with you. This is the easiest way to communicate with taxi drivers as they do not understand English. Installing a translator app that works in China will also be important, as the best way to communicate is to type your message in the translator and show it to the other person. You should install the WeChat, Didi and Alipay apps as opposed to WhatsApp, Uber and PayPal. Most people in China pay with their phones using Alipay. China also has their own apps for navigation and maps. I bought a Chinese SIM card at the airport and would recommend you doing so as well. This also helps the organisers to contract you if you should get lost on campus or to inform you about last minute changes on their schedules.

During the Forum

The work you submitted for the forum will either be asked to be presented on a A2 poster or you will be asked to do a formal oral presentation in one of the parallel sessions. The themes for the parallel sessions were: “The Zero Emission Technical Revolution” and “Building Green Future: Economic-Social-Ecological System”. The Youth Declaration on Climate Change was also established to state that climate change is a very important priority and responsibility of the youth and that we should take an active stand in order to solve its challenges.

There were also cultural activities integrated with the forum program. The hosts took us to both the Tsinghua University Art and History Museums. Keep your passport and a bit of cash on you, museums and tourist sites require your passport and you will be asked to pay your own entrance fees.

Breakfast was provided at the hotel restaurant where they accommodated all the delegates. We were also provided with a meal card to use at the campus cafeterias for lunch and dinner. The best and most affordable place to use the food cards is the Tsinghua University Student Culture Activity Centre where the food is similar to McDonalds, but prices are roughly R30-R40 per meal (burger, chips and coke). This is also one of the cafeterias that serve western foods. Some of the burgers and food can be very spicy, so it would be a good idea to have a Chinese translation of what food you would like to order before placing your order.

After the Forum

You may want to go see one or two sights after the forum has finished and there isn’t really any free time to do so during the forum. Also, as China gets rapidly colder as November progresses, it would most probably be better to book the extra day or two for sight seeing before the forum starts to have a few degrees warmer weather. Some of the students went to see the Great Wall of China which is about 2 hours away by bus, though this might be a relative expensive option. No worry, Beijing has many sights that is inexpensive and not far from Tsinghua. The “Palace Museum” is situated in the center of Beijing where the “The Last Emperor” movie was shot and the “Lama Palace” also nearby where you can go see typical Chinese artwork buildings and experience a piece of the Buddhism culture. Both these place offer student discount on tickets, but will ask if you are undergraduate as China only offer student discount to undergraduate students.

Lastly, student delegates were offered an opportunity to write a collaborative letter to Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, as to highlight the importance of climate change in our society and that we as youth see it as an important priority and personal challenge to solve. The president responded with an email after the forum where he shared his personal experience, when he was still a young man, with the devastating effects of unsustainable development in a small village resulting in economic collapse. He also shared his vision for China in tackling climate change towards becoming a sustainable ecological civilisation. The delegates also received the opportunity to respond to the president’s letter. It is clear that climate change is bigger and accelerating faster than what is historically considered to be natural. It is all of our duty to become informed and involved in order to divert from our current path towards a sustainable future.
July 15, 2020
Heinrich Geldenhuys at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China

Graduate Academic Forum of the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China

The Global Alliance of Universities on Climate (GAUC) was established at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. The aim is to create international collaboration regarding support measures for the United Nations climate change and Sustainable Development Goals. This alliance consists of twelve leading universities internationally, of which Stellenbosch University was included as the African continent’s representative in climate change research. The need was identified for the active exchange of information at a student level regarding climate change. Hereby the very first Graduate Academic Forum of the GAUC was set in motion by inviting student representatives from each member university.

Pre-departure

The following detail describes the preparations I had to undertake for the trip and will provide a good perspective and guideline of what to expect to the students that follow the years to come. The first priority is to start applying for a visa and collecting all the documentation needed. Fill in, print and sign the online application form to take with you. Apply for a type F visa. Visa photos should be sized 33mm x 48mm (measure them since the photo shops make mistakes sometimes), and make sure that you comply to the Chinese guides of how the photo should look. Also bring along your invitation letter from the organisers or Tsinghua University. We were fortunate that the organisers sent us invitation letters signed by the Chinese Minister of Education. Copies of passport pages, proof of registration, flight and accommodation reservations, and a leave letter written by your supervisor should also be taken with you.

The Chinese consulate is situated on the 20th floor, 1 Thibault Square, Long Street, Cape Town. They open 9am and close 12:30pm, 9am is the recommended time and the traffic isn’t great there so be sure to check on Google Maps for the predicted TOA from where you are driving (from Stellenbosch it should take you about an hour to two hours). You can use the Thibault Square Parking (it is under a neighbouring building) to park, take cash to pay parking.

When packing one’s bag it is important to consider the weather to be expected. Beijing is very cold in November so pack gloves, a scarf and long johns or thermal underwear for under your pants. Puffer jackets are the preferred type of clothing to insulate against the cold in Beijing and are widely worn by the locals. Layering one’s clothing also works well.

It is a good idea to have a copy of all your documentation with you during your flights, especially your letter of invitation confirming your purpose of visit. It does happen that customs experience problems with your passport and ask for documentation. Buy a Chinese SIM card at the airport in China to make your journey easier. Remember with some carriers to cancel your SIM card before leaving the country, as this could apparently have implications such as blacklisting. We used Unicom and they confirmed that the SIM card we bought does not require cancellation as it will terminate by itself after a certain time.

The organisers relied on WeChat (Whatsapp does not work in China) to communicate the arrangements to all the attendees in a group chat. Install WeChat early on as it is tricky to get it up and running, you need to be invited by another Chinese/user on the app and it is not unusual to get blocked.

During the Forum

The organisers provided us with accommodation at one of their guesthouses/hotels in shared rooms of 2 -3 persons. We received meal cards to use on campus and breakfast was included at the hotel. It is easy to get lost on campus, especially if you rely on google maps. The best is to stay in groups, use the campus map or install the Chinese map apps, Didi (their Uber app), and Alipay (like Paypal).

I was selected to do a presentation on my work, it entails how an existing city’s infrastructure can be transitioned to become a smart sustainable city. The organisers provided us with themed templates for posters and presentations beforehand. The forum started with a welcoming reception in the evening where the GAUC welcomed us with special entertainment ranging from singing, Chinese opera and a magician. The first day we attended the opening ceremony that entailed the opening address and keynote speeches by selected chairs of the GAUC Leadership, ending with a panel discussion. Most of the speeches were in Chinese/Mandarin, but a translation service was in place so that everyone were able to participate. The poster sessions and presentations followed during the main part of the forum, including the World Youth Roundtable, where the Youth Declaration on Climate Change was established, to discuss and promote the role and involvement of students and the youth in tackling climate change.

After the Forum

Sightseeing is a must in Beijing. Beijing is also very safe due to their thorough camera surveillance, but make sure that you arrive home before 10pm or 11pm, as taxis become scarce and the rail metro closes. After 5pm temperatures drop drastically. Shops are open until 9pm, but close earlier on Saturdays. Make use of TripAdvisor recommendations for visiting the tourist sights. One of the sites are very near to Tsinghua University and ideal to go see after the forum. It is the Summer Palace which showcases some of China’s most amazing heritage and scenery.

Tsinghua University is the number one university in China and they have a beautiful campus, it reminded me a lot of Stellenbosch University and how proud I am to be associated with such an established university. It was really an honour to represent Stellenbosch University amongst students from other leading universities of the world, to exchange insights and learn from each other.

During the forum delegates had a choice to help write an email to the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, about the challenges and reality of climate change and how this matter is of great importance to a country but especially the youth. After returning to South Africa the feedback from president Jinping was shared with the students who participated and the students had the opportunity to again comment and provide their insights in another response.

July 15, 2020
Masego at Xiamen University, China

China is an amazing country! It is very different to South Africa, so you should expect to be pushed out of your comfort zone (a lot!). The exchange to Xiamen University was truly life-changing. After seeing a different side of the world, my way of thinking and the pre-judgments I often make about people, have completely changed.

Preparations for the Trip:

Once we received acceptance letters from the University, we planned our trip to the Visa Centre in Cape Town. The Visa Centre requires quite a few documents for the X2 student visa, so we had to make a second trip before the visa application was sent through.

I would advise anyone to first look at the requirements for an X2 visa on the Chinese Visa Centre’s website (we apply for it here, not at the Embassy) and to ensure that you arrive at the Centre at least 20 minutes before they open, to avoid long queues.

It is of course also important to book the flights as early as possible to get the best deals! Take your time to compare as many airlines as you can. For flights to China Ethiopian Airlines has the cheapest fares, and they go direct from Addis Ababa to quite a number of Chinese cities like Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing etc. However, their airport is not very good so I wouldn’t advise a long layover. We flew Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong and then flew to Xiamen and I found that it was a comfortable and enjoyable experience (although the flight was loooong). Another disadvantage was that we could only pack 30kg max. for an international flight. Other airline options that are worth exploring are Emirates, SAA, Qatar, and Turkish Airlines. I would recommend that you set aside at least two days for this.

Depending on the Chinese city you are going to, you need to pack in advance for the different seasons. Xiamen is in southern China so it has a warm climate. We flew to Xiamen during Autumn, but it was boiling hot and humid! Temperatures ranged between 30 and 35 degrees for the first few weeks after our arrival (imagine how hot their Summer must have been!). So I packed light clothing and sandals (I would also advise packing caps/hats and lots of sunscreen). Xiamen’s winters are just about as cold as Stellenbosch’s except that it gets very windy. You won’t ever need a long winter coat, but I would advise packing a couple of jackets, warm jerseys, scarves and gloves.

Travelling with cash is a must for China, especially if you are going to Xiamen University. Firstly, you will need money (Chinese Renminbi Yuan) for a taxi ride to the University from the airport (although the University provides a free shuttle service usually a day before or on the day of registration). You will also need cash for residence registration and for food for the first few days. After you open a Chinese bank account, there is no need to carry cash. Your bank account is linked to your student card so you just swipe your student card at the canteen and other facilities on campus. Also once you have set up a bank account you can use Alipay or Wechat Pay (mobile payment apps) to pay for everything from supermarket items, vending machines, medicine, train and flight tickets, bike repairs and even informal food stalls along the road! This applies to the whole of mainland China so paying for things is super easy!

It’s China Time:

Arriving in China was an overwhelming experience. We arrived on a hot, rainy day at Xiamen Gaoqi Airport. I travelled with a fellow classmate from Stellenbosch which made things a lot easier and made me feel less stressed. Once we went through customs, our China experience began!

We quickly learnt that English is not a thing in China so we had to mentally change gears and use Mandarin to communicate.

We had to stand in a long queue (with all our baggage) for a taxi but luckily we were shielded from the rain. We chose to arrive two days before registration in order to settle into Xiamen. We stayed at a hotel near our university and bought necessities like food, electrical plugs etc. We also found ATMs where we could withdraw money (Bank of China and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China accepted our South African cards).

I highly recommend arriving early because registration day was extremely exhausting and very hot and I can’t imagine how we would have felt if we had to go through that after stepping off a long international flight.

We arrived on campus bright and early two days later. I would suggest familiarizing yourself with the map of the campus, it makes finding buildings so much easier. After we handed in forms, signed documents, took pictures, paid registration fees, got our Orientation Week schedules etc. we finally made it into our dorm room and literally fell onto our beds (a big mistake, because the beds were rock hard!). In the days to follow we did our required medical examinations for foreigners (it’s best to do this in China and not before at home), opened bank accounts, attended information sessions and when the opportunity presented itself, we went and bought mattress softeners! The overall experience of Orientation week was a good one. University staff and old students were friendly and always willing to help. We stayed at the Xiang’an campus which is new and so many of the facilities like the library, gym, swimming pool and canteen were of a high standard.

Dumplings from the Canteen

Classes at Xiamen University were amazing! The standard of education is really good and my Chinese improved tremendously during my time there. The lecturers are dedicated and class sizes are small 23 students max. The curriculum is fixed so there are no sudden changes in course material and the tests are always based on work done in class. During class you learn new vocabulary and grammar that you can put to use as soon as you leave class. I enjoyed practicing my Chinese with workers in the canteen; security guards at the residences; and shop attendants. This did wonders for my confidence in speaking Mandarin with native speakers. It also helped me to understand people who speak with different regional accents and to improve my tones (although there is still big room for improvement in that department).

Eating Hotspot in Guangzhou

During public holidays we had the opportunity to travel to Guangzhou. We used the sleeper train which was surprisingly good! On the train we made a couple of friends and got many surprised stares from people who realized we could speak Chinese. Guangzhou is a huge city and their transport system is far more developed than Xiamen’s. I enjoyed exploring the city using the subway, and buses. Although I must admit that when it was time to go, I was happy to return to quiet and peaceful Xiamen.

Peaceful Xiamen

Return to South Africa:

As the days drew nearer and nearer for out return back home, I became more and more excited. China is truly amazing, eye-opening and a feast for the senses, but home is where the heart is, right? I missed little things like hearing people speak my mother tongue, eating biltong and braaivleis. I especially missed seeing people who look like me, and not feeling like I stand out. I missed the familiarity of home.

When I was in China I realized how safe it is there. You can walk down a busy street with your cellphone out, or get on a bus at 9pm without any fear. Car accidents are also quite rare and in the four months that I was there I only spotted one car with dents and a broken bumper, all other cars were in perfect condition. This is quite different to South Africa and it opened my eyes to the fact that it is possible to have safer roads and to implement firmer measures against those who break the rules of the road. It is also possible to decrease crime. It’s not impossible, other countries have done it and if we dedicate ourselves to the task it is achievable.

Tears flowed down my cheeks when the automatic glass doors at the international arrivals section of the O.R. Tambo airport slid open and I caught sight of my family waiting for me. I waved a small South African flag in my right hand and pushed my baggage trolley with my left hand. There is truly nothing like home. There is truly nothing like the warm embrace of a family member and the taste of Steers ribs (my first meal). It is funny how it took me going to another country to truly appreciate mine.

Adjusting back was not easy. Jetlag was definitely the toughest challenge as I found myself wide awake at 3am in the morning and dozing off at noon. My mind and body were very confused. I returned home a week after writing our end-of-term exams in China and so I was happy to have the chance to relax and recuperate. I had a lot to share with people after the trip and I found it frustrating not being able to relay some experiences in a way that would make people fully understand, but that is completely normal I suppose. After a week or so I was back in sync with the environment around me and everything felt normal. I am very grateful for the experience of going on exchange and it has taught me so much about myself and about the world. Stellenbosch University was very supportive throughout the whole process. If the opportunity presents itself again to go on exchange, I wouldn’t think twice before grabbing it with both hands!

The world’s highest Post Office at Canton Tower, Guangzhou

March 7, 2019