Pre-Departure Orientation Peking University, Spring

January 29, 2016

Welcome to the Orientation

Be sure that you have not only logged into the Webinar on your computer, but that you have also called in to the webinar on your phone. Follow the instructions in your Meeting Confirmation e-mail.

Dial-In Number: (866) 740-1260

Access Code: 4787318

If you have called in and cannot hear the audio of this webinar, use the chat box to let us know.

There will be a Q&A session at the end of the presentation. Please write your questions down as they arise and wait until prompted to ask them.

UCEAP Guides/Participants Portal

This presentation covers highlights that apply to everyone. Details concerning questions, problems, or situations you may have while abroad are at the links below. Bookmark them!

Participants Portal (guides, calendars, insurance, petitions, more…)

UCEAP Guide to Study Abroad (includes detailed academic policies)

Program Guide (details about program)

Your signed Student Agreement confirms that you have read and understand the policies and information in these guides. You can always contact Study Center or the Systemwide Office with any questions.

UCEAP – Systemwide Office

Program Specialist

Student Finance Accountant

Program Advisor

Academic Specialist

May Pothongsunun mpothongsunun@

eap.ucop.edu

Eva Bilandzia ebilandzia@

eap.ucop.edu

Michelle Hertig mhertig@

eap.ucop.edu

Nick Matsumoto nmatsumoto@ eap.ucop.edu

UCEAP – Beijing Study Center

In Beijing, contact the Study Center with questions about host or UC academics, finance, housing, health, or anything else! They will know if it’s a question they can answer, or if it should go to your home campus or your host university. Your host university often will not understand exactly what rules or exceptions apply to UCEAP students – talk to them to make sure you have the correct information!

Ms. Molly Zou Program Administrator eap.zoujing@gmail.com Ms. Sabrina Zhao Program Assistant eap.zhaoming@gmail.com

GETTING READY & ARRIVAL

Before You Go

Review the program calendar on your Participants page and make travel arrangements to arrive before the official start date.

Obtain your student visa as required. Follow the instructions on the PDC.

Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for health information.

Register with U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

Contact returnees and current participants through the UCEAP Beijing Facebook page.

Pack light! You can buy almost everything you need in China.

Hand carry the arrival instructions from your PDC.

Print your UCEAP insurance card, read both sides, and place it in your wallet.

Chinese Student Visa

See Visa Instructions on PDC

Apply four weeks prior to departure through the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles or San Francisco

X2 Student Visa grants a 180 day stay

US$140

PKU admission documents required

Single/Double/Multiple Entry

Arrival

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Immigration Disembarkation/Embarkation Card

Baggage Claim

Customs

Transportation Taxi

Airport Bus + Taxi

Subway

On-Site Orientation

February 18th: PKU Registration Students will register and submit required documents.

Campus tour

February 19th: UCEAP Orientation Conducted by Beijing Study Center. Includes introduction

to program, and life in Beijing.

PKU Orientation Chinese language placement exam

Course registration

Staying in Touch

As a UCEAP participant, you are obligated to: Contact a family member to notify them of your safe arrival Keep in touch and provide up-to-date contact details in MyEAP Check your UC email address regularly Provide a local cell phone number after arrival

Send an email, text, and/or complete the Travel Signout form to notify the Study Center that you will travel out of town.

LIVING ABROAD

Make It Count!

While abroad, you will be a representative of not only the University of California, but also the state of California and the United States of America.

Think about what this means and how it will affect your behavior while abroad.

This is an amazing opportunity to meet people from other societies, make friends from other countries, and to make a difference in your life and in the lives of others.

“Time goes by so quickly here. Take advantage of the fact that you are in a different country, don't be cooped up in your room! DO THINGS, TALK TO PEOPLE, chances are they're amazing and they want to meet amazing people like you too!”

– UCEAP Beijing Student

PKU Housing

PKU Global Village (Zhong Guan Xin Yuan)

Located outside the east gate of the PKU main campus and a few minutes’ walk from the Study Center and subway station.

Suite: Each student will have their own bedroom, but share a living room, and bathroom. Bedding is provided.

You are required to pay a cash deposit of RMB 3,000 (one month’s rent) upon check in. You will be expected to submit the full payment for your room within the first week of arrival. Payment can be made in RMB cash or by credit card (MasterCard, Visa).

There will also be a RMB 500 damage deposit to be paid at check in. This is refundable at the end of the program when you return your receipt.

Money & Banking

Currency Exchange US$1 = RMB 6.5 Passport required

Cash ATMs are the easiest way to get cash, but there

will be fees added. Check with your bank before leaving for details about ATM fees while abroad.

Beware of counterfeit currency

Credit Cards Accepted at larger establishments

Local Bank Account PKU: Bank of China, Bank of Beijing, Agricultural

Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank

Communication

Cell Phones Bring an unlocked phone or buy a phone

after arrival

Purchase SIM card and reload

Many students use Skype to communicate with family & friends in the U.S.

Internet Access Wired and wireless Internet

Computer Labs

Internet Cafes

Meals

Basic kitchenette available with on campus housing

Other options include: campus canteens, food stalls, cafes, and restaurants

Transportation

Subway Nearest subway station is East Gate

of Peking University (Line 4)

RMB 3+

Buses

Taxis

Bicycles

Activities

Health

Review your UCEAP Insurance Plan so you understand all your health coverage and how to use it.

Research any required medication to find out if you can obtain it in China, or if it is even legal! Remember, all medication must be carried in their original, labeled containers.

If you become ill while abroad (including mental health issues):

Notify the Study Center. They are there to help! In fact, notify the Study Center about any issue that is impacting your academic performance and/or attendance.

Safety

Government Surveillance Access to some internet sites blocked and online activity monitored Police presence and security check points around the city

Traffic Exercise special caution when crossing streets in China; pedestrians do not have the right of way

Scams You will stick out as a foreigner, and thus a mark for scams

Theft Be aware of pick-pockets, especially in tourist areas, airports, public transportation

Nightlife Alcohol consumption impairs our judgment and increases risky behavior, which increases the risk

for crime Maximum capacity laws not enforced and emergency exits are not always accessible

Drugs Trafficking, manufacturing, importing and exporting of drugs can result in the death penalty

Cultural Adjustment

Stress abroad is not unique or uncommon. There may be times when you feel UCEAP just isn’t working for you. It’s normal to feel homesick, isolated, have family or breakup issues, or academic or money concerns. You may experience emotional ups and downs, and even depression, or illness.

You may also experience “culture shock.”

Follow the lead of the locals. Exercise, journal/blog, do activities that you enjoy at home, try new activities, laugh at mistakes, make friends and get involved in the community. Learn about your new culture and try to fit in. Reach out to others.

You might even consider withdrawing, but be sure to seek advice to explore all other solutions before reaching this important decision. Consult with the Study Center and, if necessary, an onsite counselor before filing paperwork to leave. There can be academic and financial consequences.

ACADEMICS

Peking University (Bei Da)

PKU Courses PKU curriculum divided into three tiers:

Tier 1: Language classes improve proficiency in spoken and written Chinese and discuss Chinese culture and society. Chinese in mainland China is taught using pinyin Romanization and standard simplified Chinese characters.

Tier 2: Courses are designed for foreigners and taught in Chinese level more easily understood than that of regular university courses.

Tier 3: PKU regular offerings taught in Chinese.

English taught courses from various departments. One or two English taught courses per student maximum.

Registration procedures will vary depending on your tier and the types of courses you want. Procedures will be covered during your onsite orientation. The process takes two to three weeks.

Format of Instruction varies depending on your tier.

Chinese language courses have very small class size – 10 to 20 students. Tutoring is also possible.

Field trips, guest speakers

Discussion or student participation is rare in lecture courses

Tests require more rote memorization than UC exams. Most classes have a midterm and final exam

Feedback from instructors is not common practice

Attendance policy

“Classes here will teach you a lot of Chinese, but you also learn hard work. I study more here than for any class I've had in Berkeley.”

- UCEAP Beijing Student

UCEAP Academics

Do not enter anything in MyEAP until you have received instructions. Your MyEAP Study List is your official UC record. Courses will be on your UC transcript with course titles, subject areas, numbers, units, and grades which are calculated into your cumulative UC GPA.

UC students are required to enroll in a minimum of 18 UC quarter units; 21 to 24 is recommended

Pass/no pass allowed for 1/3rd (33%) of your total units.

Units are based on contact time.

Sample: Coursework in Chinese Sample: Chinese language study

You are guaranteed credit, but you will need to petition for courses to count for specific degree requirements. Keep all course material and assignments for this process.

Grades can take up to 90 days to get from Peking University to your campus registrar. You will receive an email from MyEAP when your grades are sent to the registrar. Spring grades usually available in mid-September.

Returning Home

Pay all outstanding fees to PKU and to UCEAP. Program costs, housing charges, library fines, utility bills, or more will delay the release of your grades and may block on UC registration.

Bring home course materials to assist you in petitioning for course approval to satisfy major requirements – especially syllabi and any returned graded work, but also any other assignments that will demonstrate what you did.

Check your airline’s luggage restrictions.

Read about reverse culture shock and be aware of common reactions to returning home.

Upon your return, please complete surveys or questionnaires sent to you by UCEAP! Your feedback helps us maintain the quality of the programs, and improve them for future students.

Questions?

“Your study abroad experience is what you make of it. If you ever find yourself just sitting in your dorm room watching TV or surfing the net, find something interesting to do! Knock on your neighbors' doors and see if anyone is interested in going out. If not, you can always take a small trip out on your own like going for a walk around the campus and nearby streets or shopping for fruits or clothing. You only have so much time in China. Treasure every moment of it!”

– UCEAP Beijing Student