I have just finished my third week of classes and they are going pretty well so far. Though the academic system is different here than back in the United States. Many classes meet only once a week for two hours which is called a lecture. I have four classes that are just lectures. Some classes, like my introductory to sociology class have a seminar in addition to a lecture. This is an additional hour where a smaller group of students discuss the lecture in further detail often with group work. The modules that I am taking meet on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday so I have a four day weekend to travel. This weekend I am taking my first trip to another European country. I am going to Dublin, Ireland!
Another main difference in the United Kingdom is that many of the modules or what we call courses meet for the whole year. Since I will only be here for a semester my assessment or grade will be based on one or two big assessments which are usually long papers/case studies. For my modules I am not required to buy any books which is a great way to save money. All the articles and readings are on uni learn which is similar to blackboard. The library has textbooks and books students can borrow for class readings. The only thing which sucks is that the university does not give you any print money. It’s easier for me to read physical copies of documents so I have to spend a decent amount of my own money.
Finally, at the University of Huddersfield you are expected to read and keep up with the reading and course material on your own. There are no reading quizzes or graded paragraphs just your one or two final assessments. Though attendance does matter and is checked by swiping your ID card as you enter the classroom. I have got to go catch my transportation methods to Ireland! I will post soon about my travels and inside some photos 🙂
I think I’ve finally got to the point where I know how to use China’s currency, either that or I’ve become a super cheapskate.
Probably for the first month I’ve been in China, everything I bought, I had to convert in my head to see if it was a good deal. But I realized…as a American everything seemed to be an amazing deal, even if it was 游客价(tourist price). I didn’t get those prices as the rest of my classmates because I look Chinese and spoke with better fluency but my A.B.C. speak always seemed to pop out at the worse times….like right when I’m about it haggle TT ^ TT….
Like a big fruit cup(not like Starbuck’s teeny tiny cups) by Shida’s North Gate（师大的北门） is only 3 RMB which is an equivalent to less that 50 cents USD…That’s actually considered kind of pricey for portion and types of fruit…but then again all fruit cupsare kinda overpriced. *coughcough* SUB *coughcough*
Though I do admit I still convert when something is over 100 RMB (~16USD) but I try not to buy anything over that because I can make 30-50 RMB(5-8 USD)last a day…maybe even two if I am lazy and just eat the 1 RMB pork buns DX so yummy.
I mean seriously since I am staying in the Shida （师大） dorm rooms there is no kitchen and I am not buying a mini-fridge because that would jack up my electric bill （oh yeah you gotta watch your electricity）but even so the C.L.I. (Chinese Language Institute) does have a fridge and kitchen…but it’s kind of “far”(college student far) and I’m lazy.
Going back to 游客价(tourist price), that tourist price is very real. If I go shopping with an obvious foreigner friend I get one price, if I go with other Chinese friends I get another, but the best price is the one where I have a friend/teacher that speak local Guilin dialect. So pay attention who you go shopping with xP.
I am thankful I got the money transitioning down but now I really need to work on not being conned into paying too much and stop spending so much in the Drink shops（饮料店). Especially coffee X-X…..and cat cafes…..and bars.
By the way…? they sell alcohol on Campus o-o