Frequently Asked Questions
- What should do when I arrive in Qingdao?
- What is a normal day like in the Qingdao programs?
- How long can I stay in the dorm before and after the program?
- What does the student housing look like in Qingdao?
- Will I have a Chinese roommate in Qingdao?
- What textbooks or other learning materials do I need to buy or bring?
- Will we be given a tour of campus and the surrounding neighborhood to learn where everything is?
- Is there a convenience store or grocery store close to the dorms in Qingdao?
- Will I be eating at a dorm cafeteria/food court?
- How much money do I need for food?
- Will I be able to access Google and Gmail?
- When is the study tour and where are we going?
- What should I do in an emergency?
- Can we leave Qingdao during the program?
- May my boyfriend/girlfriend visit me in Qingdao?
- How can I receive credit from this program at my university?
1. What should do when I arrive in Qingdao?
As described in announcements, you should:
- Go to your host university by Qingdao Center airport shuttle, taxi, or airport/public bus
- Check in at the listed university lodging and receive your Center welcome package with directions for the first day of class
2. What is a normal day like in the Qingdao programs?
In Levels 1-4, students have four hours of class in the morning followed by individual tutoring and community-based homework assignments to do in the afternoon. You should expect to spend at least 6 hours/day preparing for your classes.
In Levels 5 & 6, students develop, research and report on their own domain-specific projects. The individual nature of these projects means less group time and more one-on-one study and tutoring.
3. How long can I stay in the dorm before and after the program?
You can stay in the dorm room the weekend before the programs begin and the weekend after the programs end. Beyond those periods, you will be responsible for the cost of the dorm room.
4. What does the student housing look like in Qingdao?
Photos can be found on the respective university websites, linked from summer housing
5. Will I have a Chinese roommate in Qingdao?
Yes. Because the Chinese school year runs longer than the American one, your roommates will move in after you do.
6. What textbooks or other learning materials do I need to buy or bring?
Required materials are included in the program fee and will be provided in Qingdao. You should own a bilingual dictionary, either a printed one or a portable electronic one.
7. Will we be given a tour of campus and the surrounding neighborhood to learn where everything is?
For many students, your first assignment will be to find useful places such as the campus supermarket, clinic and printing/copying services. Students in other levels will be challenged to do so on their own time and ask their instructor for advice when having difficulty finding something.
8. Is there a convenience store or grocery store close to the dorms in Qingdao?
Yes, there are a number of such stores on and near the university campus.
9. Will I be eating at a dorm cafeteria/food court?
There are many dining options available both on and off-campus; you may eat where you wish.
10. How much money do I need for food?
You can easily get by on USD $500 for the summer if you eat and drink like a local. Every trip to KFC or a nice club will increase the amount you need. USD $1000 will cover all but the most profligate people.
11. Will I be able to access Google and Gmail?
Google is occasionally punished for defying the central government, but Google and Gmail are usually available.
12. When is the study tour and where are we going?
The study tours are an integral part of the programs and participation in them is mandatory and graded. The tour takes place during the 5th week of the term. The routes change by year and by level, but commonly visited locations include Weihai, Yantai, Penglai, Qufu, and Taishan.
13. What should I do in an emergency?
In short, go to the nearest hospital if it is a medical emergency. Once treatment has begun, contact your level’s lead instructor. If immediate medical attention is not necessary, start by calling your lead instructor. Please refer to emergency contacts for more detail. China cell phone numbers will be updated once the program has begun.
14. Can we leave Qingdao during the program?
No. Exceptions can be made for special circumstances, but permission must be sought and granted by your lead instructor and Professor Jian FIRST. Failure to do so may lead to serious consequences, including dismissal from the program
15. May my boyfriend/girlfriend visit me in Qingdao?
This is very strongly discouraged. It can not only distract you from the task at hand, but such visits may negatively affect your relationship with your Chinese roommate, even if you “get a room”.
16. How can I receive credit from this program at my university?
Find out from your local study abroad office what paperwork and information are required by your university in order to apply for transfer/study abroad credit at a foreign institution. Once you know this, you can email Patrick McAloon (mcaloon.1@osu.edu) for help obtaining the appropriate documents.
