ISOIS ▸ Final reports

Host country:
Host institution:
Mobility type:
Program:
Faculty:
Ac. year:
Semesters:
Study level:
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Nanjing University

China 2018/2019 Partner universities

Personal data
Mobility type:
study

Faculty at MU:
Faculty of Arts

Field of study:
Culture Studies of China

Level of study during period of placement:
Bachelor

Language used:
English

Summer/winter school?:
no

Period of studies:
autumn 2018
spring 2019

Period of placement (from-to):
2018-09-03 - 2019-06-30

Number of months:
10.00

Activities before my departure abroad
Where can information be found about courses taught at the foreign school?:
Nanjing University official website http://stuex.nju.edu.cn/en/a/Registration___Course_Selection/

Which documents were needed for acceptance at the foreign university?:
Official English transcript of records from home university, A copy of passport photo page, Portrait photo of electronic edition, A certificate of Language Proficiency, Filled Accommodation Application Form (if students would like to apply the on-campus accommodation), Physical Examination Record for Foreigner (For students who apply for one academic year’s exchange ONLY)

How far ahead did you have to organise your acceptance?:
4-5 months ahead

Did you need a visa?:
yes

Documents and materials needed for a visa:
original and a copy of Visa Application for Study in China, original and a copy of Admission Notice, a copy of passport photo page, portrait photos

Length of wait for visa:
around 2 weeks

Fee for the visa:
around 1800CZK

Studies
Did you have a Learning Agreement signed before your departure?:
yes

If not, why not?:

Before your departure did you know how your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
no, because I didn't know my selection of courses before my departure, but our home university briefly told us how our courses will be basically recognised

During your stay did you change your Learning Agreement?:
yes, because we got to know our subject schedule after our arrival to China

When and how did course registration take place? Are there any restrictions? Possibilities of making changes?:
For Chinese Language Courses everyone had to take a test, based on our test results we were selected to different level courses, but if a student wasn't satisfied in a selected group, he/she could change the group. For English-taught Courses course application was done online on the school's website. Log-in information and information about the test will be handed over during the Registration Days in the beginning of the semester in Gulou Building. If you are an exchange student, the host university will inform you by an email a few days before the new semester starts.

Did you take any examinations at the foreign school?:
Yes, we had the test in the beginning for selecting a suitable level of Chinese course, then midterms and final exams. We had only one try for every exam, but the exams were pretty easy, I don't think the host university does a big deal with foreign students, at least for Chinese Language Courses.

Does the school use the ECTS system?:
no

If not then explain how the credits there were recalculated into ECTS:
The school has its own credit limit you have to pass to be able to successfully finish a semester. The recalculation of credits for our home university was discussed with our departmental coordinator who decided the number of credits recognised by the home university based on how often and for how long we took the specific course.

Describe the teaching methods (theory, practical and projects) and assessment of students:
About Chinese Language Courses the teaching methods were similar to the methods of teachers of the home university. Student needed a textbook for every course, students were working with the textbook during the class, sometimes the teacher added some extra practise, every topic included new vocabulary and grammar, sometimes there were small tests, homework or teamwork projects. Students were assessmented based on the midterms, final exams, small tests and homework during the semester and attendance.

Quality of teaching in comparison with home school:
It depends on the specific subjects. Chinese Language Courses had more subjects, some of them were better, some of them worse. Basically I would say it was about the same in comparison with the home university, but the problem with the host university was there were too many people in one class, so the quality and effect of teaching was of course worse.

How did you receive study materials?:
students have to buy textbooks, teachers usually send their ppt to the group chat if you ask them to

Can you recommend an interesting course/subject/teacher?:
no, because I had only Chinese Language Courses which were obligatory

How well is the school library equipped?:
it is alright, but the exchange students are not allowed to take books out of the library (for example back to their dorms)

Availability of computers, internet access, level of software needed, requirements on notebook:
the library has some computers students can use, but I highly suggest students have their own laptop with VPN downloaded (VPN has to be downloaded before the departure!), strongly suggest to have VPN downloaded on phones too (find information about Chinese censorship, most of used apps or softwares in Europe are not supported in China). Rooms in the dorms have cable internet, but the internet connection is often really bad, the quality of the internet changes all the time. There was also WIFI on the campus, I think in the library, canteens and school buidings.

Options from printing and copying:
Campus had a lot of places where students can easily print and copy things, it is really cheap.

Does the foreign school/student organisation arrange special events for exchange students?:
yes

If yes then what?:
There is a student organisation arranging events for exchange students, they organise some events from time to time, for example Halloween party, watching a movie with a discussion, festivals connected events, trips around Nanjing or around some touristic places in China.

How would you assess your integration with the local students (evaluation like in school from 1 to 5 with 1 as highest):
4

or describe in your own words:
Since I had only Chinese Language Courses, I didn't share any classes with Chinese students, eventhough there are some clubs on the campus, the access to them is rather difficult, at least from my opinion. Then there are the student organisation events, you can meet some local students in there. Or there's English Corner which is hold almost every week and foreign students are very welcome in there, that is from my opinion one of the best options to meet Chinese students.

Practical questions on your placement
Where did you live?:
Xianlin Campus, dorms for international students

Cost of accommodation - monthly:
87 USD

Additional comments to the price of accommodation (as to what the price includes):
the price includes everything except electricity and internet fee, students have to pay it by themselves through a machine which is in the dorm, there's no time limit, when your electricity goes out, you go to the machine and add money, simple as that. there's a deposit 650RMB/semester

Describe the equipment. Tips for future students – what should they bring with them?:
students are highly suggested to buy a package for 500RMB including bed sheets, blankets, pillow, mattress and some stuff for daily use

How and how far ahead should accommodation be organised?:
during the application for studying, that means 4-5 months ahead

What are the catering options?:
there's one kitchen for the whole dorm, you can cook there, or there are canteens on the campus serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, there are some grocery shops as well, a few bistros or you can order food on your phone (外卖)

What are the rough costs of groceries (compare with Czech prices):
a bit cheaper than in the Czech Rep., but the western food is a lot more expensive

Transport to location of placement:
by a plane

Rough prices for transportation:
around 9000CZK for one way

Tips for purchasing cheap tickets and other recommendations:
use your student card you'll get from the university (not the campus card you'll receive as well) for gettin student sales. you can often bargain in smaller shops, people are used to it

What are the local transport options (public transport, cycling, on foot, rough prices):
there's a shuttle bus going around the campus, you can use bikes everywhere (you can rent a bike through QR code, you don't need to buy yourself a one), metro, buses, taxi, everything really cheap, cheaper than in the Czech Rep.

What kind of formalities have to be arranged before arrival, for example residence permit?:
Visa, Dorm Application

What health insurance did you use? (rough price, advantages, disadvantages, is it necessary to arrange insurance at the university other than your home (Czech) insurance?):
I bought health insurance in the Czech Rep., but had to buy one in China as well (400RMB/semester), I've never used it, because luckily didn't have any health problems during my stay, but if you want to visit a local hospital or school hospital, you need to have an insurance, otherwise you pay a lot. I also heard they make you problems if you don't have school insurance.

Did you have any experience with medical treatment abroad?:
no

Did you work during your studies?:
no, not allowed

What are the conditions for working for MU students?:
foreign students are not allowed to work

Tips for free-time activities:
traveling, try to participate in some local activities

Financial support and expenses
Total grant from Centre for International Cooperation:
200000 CZK

Monthly grant in CZK:
20000 CZK

Number of supported months:
10

Total number of months:
10

What other sources did you make use of to finance your placement?:
parent's pocket money :)

If you received another grant, state which and how much in CZK:

 
Total fees associated with enrolment at the university:
36000 CNY

a/ amount of enrolment fee:
0 CNY

b/ amount of tuition fees:
6000 CNY

c/ amount of other fees (which):
30000 CNY

 
What was your average monthly expenditure?:
6100 CNY

a/ of which for accommodation:
600 CNY

b/ of which for catering:
1500 CNY

c/ travel and recreation:
4000 CNY

Any comments to the average monthly expenditure:

Recognition of foreign studies at the home faculty
How many credits did you gain during your studies (in the system of the foreign school)?:
28

How many ECTS credits were recognised at MU?:
42

Did you know in advance which of your courses would be recognised by your home faculty?:
no

What problems did you have with recognition?:
didn't have problems

Overall assessment
Assessment of personal benefit (1 = excellent):
1

Assessment of academic benefit (1 = excellent):
2

Evaluate the information and support provided by the foreign school (1 = excellent):
4

Did you encounter any serious problems during your stay:
no

What would you recommend to take with you:
laptop with VPN, phone with VPN, tampons, plug connector, deodorant

What most surprised you at the partner university in a positive way:
no positive surprises for me

What most surprised you at the partner university in a negative way:
bad organisation, lack of information, too many people in classes

Further comments:
eventhough I wasn't impressed from the partner university itself, the stay in China itself gives you a lot, especially if you are a Chinese language student