Now that I've been at BLCU for over a month, here's a list of things that I would advise newcomers to do in order to get adjusted as quickly as possible. You can make do just fine without most of them, but they are very useful:
- Internet: Most people on campus use Cernet (office is just before the West Gate). The monthly fee is 140 RMB for unlimited usage, and there are other options available (50 RMB for 40 hours and 100 RMB for 120 hours of internet). If you are registering for the first time, bring at least 250 RMB with you because there is a 50 RMB deposit, 50 RMB "installation fee", and 10 RMB for the ethernet cable on top of the first month's fee.
- Electronic Dictionary: Very helpful in learning and reviewing Chinese vocabulary on the go. A lot of the Korean and Japanese students use them in class, but if you get one that is small enough to fit in you pocket, it will allow you to learn characters that you encounter in everyday life on signs and flyers at a much faster pace. Dictionaries can range from 300 RMB to 2000+ RMB. They are available at the Friendship store, but I would advise you to go in a group to Zhongguancun and bargain for dictionaries. It will save you lots of money.
- Cell phone: Can get these at the Friendship store and pretty much anywhere in Wudaokou. The most basic phones are 200 RMB, and it is pretty much up to you on how nice of a phone you want. A SIM card is provided at registration, so all you need to buy is a phone and a card with minutes. Minute cards range from 30 RMB to 100 RMB. It takes of 1 RMB per minute of calling time and like 0.25 RMB for outgoing texts. I would advise to text more than you call to conserve minutes. Also, if you get your phone unlocked, you can just plug in the SIM that BLCU gives and buy a minutes card and be set to go.
- Bike: Not an absolute necessity, but it comes in very handy and allows you to get to places much faster. You can get used ones for a little over 150 RMB but I advise getting a newer one just because you'll have fewer problems. Also you can usually sell your bike to used bike vendors and get some money back. There is a Giant dealership across the street from the East Gate, which is where I got my bike for 350 RMB. (on a side note, a lot of people here get battery-powered motorcycles, but they are much more expensive, about 3000 RMB)
- Water tank: About every dorm on campus sells a big tank of water for 15 RMB. There is also a guy outside of Building 1 that sells it for 12 RMB. The first time you buy water, you have to put down a 50 RMB deposit, and you will need to buy a water pump, which my Dorm (Building 4) was trying to sell to me for 40 RMB. The guy outside Building 1 sells the same exact pump for 25 RMB. It is also important to note that once you buy from the building or other vendors that you have to go back to the same vendor for a new tank once you finish it. They will not accept someone else's tank. I recommend getting a water tank because it is much more economical in the long run than buying a 1.5 L bottle for 3 RMB every time you run out of water.
- Transport card: Cuts down bus fares from 1 RMB to 0.40 RMB, but subway fares still remain at 2 RMB. Card can be bought from any subway station in the city for 20 RMB and the minimum amount you can put on it the first time is 20 RMB.
That's all I can think of for right now. These few things have really been very useful over the past month, so I thought I would share this with all of you. If there is anything else you would like to know, please feel free to comment.
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