If you are interested in flying all the way to the other side of the world to experience one of the most interesting cultures there is, make sure you do your research before booking that ticket! China is a country for the brave and adventurous, students and travelers with open minds who can easily adapt and are very accepting of other cultures. There are many mysteries in China that you will have to discover on your own because it is all part of the fun! There are other things that you may want to know before getting off that plane and realizing it is your new reality for the next semester or even year. Here are some helpful tips and facts about China that everyone forgets to tell you about.
1. You Can Survive on Less Than $10 a Day
Yes you can eat all three meals for under 60 元 which converts to roughly $10, it’ll probably all be street food but if you are rolling on a budget anything tastes good. But when it comes to food you should be adventurous. There is a lot of food served in China you won't find back home so try it all at least once! Some of it makes for great stories.
2. The Cars, Bikes, and Buses Are Not Afraid of Hitting You
Red lights are merely suggestions. So whether the light says it is okay to walk or not, you’re a moving target and you better run fast.
3. Watch Where You Walk
Closed toe shoes are the most ideal due to the extremely dirty streets that can be covered in anything from trash, to spit, to…did I mention babies don’t wear diapers? They have butt flaps and when they have “to go” well…you see a lot of baby butts on the streets. And old men peeing in bushes…just wear good shoes. You also have to walk everywhere because of traffic so expect to walk multiple miles per day.
4.Staring is Considered Okay
Don’t be creeped out or offended if you catch someone staring. They most likely will continue to stare even after caught because they are fascinated by westerners and in their culture staring is not considered rude or annoying. They may even stick a camera in your face, many will even drag you into family photos because chances are, you are the only American they will ever see. Expect this especially if you have hair that is not black and straight. They really do not mind violating your personal space, which brings me to....
5. You No Longer Have a Space Bubble
If you have personal space issues you might want to reconsider. It isn’t unusual to feel someone breathing down your back or grabbing your arm. I even had an old lady push my butt up the staircase in the metro station, they really are not shy here. Get ready to be pushed and shoved and grabbed or poked because it will happen pretty much everyday.
6- School is Tough
Yes study abroad is supposed to be fun and trust me, you will have a blast, but the Chinese education system is no walk in the park. When they say four hours of homework, they mean four hours of homework, and then you have additional quizzes everyday you need to study for a few more hours after homework plus an exam once a week, essays, presentations…I promise you it will all be worth it. Work hard play hard right?
7. 1.3 Billion People
China makes up for 20% of the world’s total population so as you can imagine, it is crowded. The metro is constantly packed like sardines and you have to shove your way through tiny openings to fit through doors. If you do not like crowds, I suggest you avoid public places or maybe just lock yourself in your dorm room.
8. You Will be Harassed
Street vendors are extremely pushy and will not stop following you until you either buy what they are selling or run away. They are not afraid of following you three blocks down the street, grabbing your arm, or standing in front of you so you can’t move. It is probably best to ignore them and keep walking. It gets frustrating at times so just keep moving.
9. Everything is Fake
That really nice Coach purse you’re trying to buy? Ya it’s a knock off no matter what the sweet old lady says. Fortunately that means you can bargain the price down to whatever you want to pay, unfortunately it is not the only thing that is a knock off. Everything from the alcohol served in bars and clubs, to the water sold on the street, be careful! Of course you can find trustworthy products, they are just more expensive and sold in the real stores. Even their Air Quality Index apps lie and there are fake taxis that will rip you off or "get lost" and leave you somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Just be aware of everything around you and travel with a friend.
10. The Culture Shock is Worth It
China has one of the most interesting histories out of any country in the world. If you are willing to travel, take every opportunity that you can. From the country side to other cities, there is history and culture everywhere. You could be standing underneath a skyscraper built in the 2000s while wandering through a temple built in the 1800s. Make sure you take it all in. As long as you come with an open mind, you can get past the culture shock and realize how interesting the people and the country are. So if you are thinking of study in this incredible country, take everything into consideration. It is well worth it as long as you are willing to adapt. Trust me, you will have the time of your life!
