Nanjing University, China: Student Life

Housing and meals

Students live in twin-bedded rooms in Nanjing University residence halls and will be provided with a local allowance in Chinese currency (rmb) to cover 19 meals per week (breakfast and dinner 7 days a week and lunches 5 days a week) in the university cafeteria or local Chinese cafés. There are a limited number of places to eat Western food and students will need to budget extra for such meals. Sheets and towels are changed once a week.

Facilities

Students have access to a library in the classroom building, which can also be used for private study. There are computer facilities on campus including use of the internet, for which AIFS provides an allowance for those not bringing laptops. Broadband cable access is available in the residence halls for those bringing laptops and AIFS provides this connection for a reasonable amount of use. Students may use the gymnasium on campus at a reduced rate. One gym familiarization session is included in the program.

Supervision and staff

Summer Advantage provides a high level of student supervision and counseling with a Resident Director and Resident Advisors at a ratio of 1 staff member per 15 students. AIFS staff live alongside students in the university residence. They are on call 24 hours a day and contactable by cell phone. They assist in academic advising and registration, provide travel guidance, and help students gain access to counseling and medical assistance, if necessary. AIFS staff also coordinate a weekly schedule providing information as well as practical advice and news on cultural events. AIFS staff provide regular updates to parents during the program by group email list. Students are subject to a curfew.

Keeping in touch

Students receive a phone card on arrival to call the United States. In addition to computer facilities on campus, cybercafés are available in Nanjing for Internet access. Students who bring laptops may use the cable connection in their university residence hall rooms in Nanjing. Once on site in Nanjing, students will have direct access phone numbers in their dormitory rooms to receive calls from abroad. Students may consider purchasing a cell phone for the duration of the program. AIFS staff will provide more information on how to do this at the on-site orientation meeting.