Welcome to Beijing
Understanding identity abroad is important—regardless of whether or not you think it will play a role in your own experience. While we strive to create and maintain programs that support students of all races, religions, abilities, gender identities, and sexual orientations, you also play a crucial role in creating a welcoming and supportive environment for your peers navigating aspects of their identit(ies) in a new country. The information and resources on this page serve as a starting point to help you understand experiences you or your CET classmates may encounter while abroad.
Cultural Climate
Race & Ethnicity
China has a long history as a racially homogenous country, and the average Chinese person is not surrounded by the racial diversity that exists in the US. As a result, you may hear insensitive comments or notice some staring, but these instances can mostly be attributed to the lack of knowledge about and/or exposure to people of other races and ethnicities rather than malice. For heritage learners, there has been more increased understanding and interest in the experiences of ABC (American-born Chinese) students. Generally speaking, locals are enthusiastic about foreign tourists and study abroad students learning about their culture and language—and now even more so after borders re-opened in 2023.
LGBTQ+
While homosexuality is legal in China, only heterosexual marriages are recognized by the government at this time. The local cultural climate is becoming more and more open toward LGBTQ+ issues and individuals, though it’s not yet on par with the US. Beijing has a relatively large LGBTQ+ community in both the foreign and local communities.
Gender
Though gender diversity is an emerging topic in Beijing, many locals are likely unaware of it. People are generally of an accepting mindset, but due to less exposure to the topic of gender diversity, it’s possible to hear inappropriate/uninformed commentary. However, past students have not encountered major issues with the local cultural climate toward gender issues and/or gender diverse individuals.
Religion
There are five religions officially recognized in China: Protestantism, Catholicism, Islam, Taoism, and Buddhism. There is little knowledge of or exposure to other religions in China. Chinese people—while not usually religious themselves—are on the whole very open to religion and generally interested to learn about different faiths. It is a fairly common occurrence for foreigners to be asked about their religions. Proselytizing is illegal in China, but personal religious observance and practice is fine for foreign students. Worship services are available for most major religions, with many churches offering separate services for local Chinese attendees and foreign attendees. Some churches require a foreign passport and others may require registration through a WeChat app to attend.
Cost of Living
Day-to-day cost of living in Beijing has increased in recent years. It is still more expensive than other Chinese cities (except Shanghai), and generally speaking is now closer to that of cities in the US. However as with any major Chinese city, this can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle. Check out a budget sheet to get an idea of what life in Beijing might look like financially.
Accommodations Abroad
CET makes every effort to offer accommodations comparable to those of your home institution. Disclosing early helps us to make proper preparations and work with you to determine if a program will be a good fit. We recommend that you use the following details to inform your decisions and conversations with your Student Services Coordinator.
ACCESS in ACADEMICS
Day-to-Day
Typical class hours per day differ by term. The spring/fall semesters have 4 class hours/day, and Janterm and summer have 4.5 hrs/day (these are an average; some days will have less and some days will have more depending on the agenda). Class size ranges from 1 to 15 students, and is typically 3 to 5 students/class during semesters. During summer terms, classes usually have 4 to 6 students and over 10 students in more advanced-level classes.
Available for students with documented need: low-distraction test environment; extra time on exams; modified deadlines and seating; audio recordings of lectures; readings and texts as audio files; a computer to take exams; term syllabi/readings/assignments in advance.
Classrooms & Campus
Most classes are held on the 3rd floor of a 14-story building. The 3rd floor is elevator accessible, however a 14th-floor meeting room that is only accessible by stairs is occasionally used. A more accessible meeting room can be booked if necessary. Additionally, classroom restrooms are not wheelchair accessible due to the narrow width of the door and toilet stalls. The first floor of the cafeteria and several other buildings on campus have a few (1-3) shallow steps leading up to the entrance.
Out-of-Class Activities
CET occasionally plans mandatory academic activities and optional trips to nearby sites and other cities after class and on weekends. Excursions may involve urban walking, rural hiking, use of public transportation, and/or going up and down stairs.
Itinerary modifications and accommodations can be made for students with documented need. Transportation can be arranged as necessary, and excused absences are provided for mandatory excursions that are inaccessible due to a disability.
ACCESS IN HOUSING
Your Home Abroad
The dormitories are located on campus, about a 6-minute walk from the classrooms. The only wheelchair accessible dorms are on the first floor, though the restrooms are not wheelchair accessible due to the narrow width of the door. The activity room, laundry room, and communal kitchen are only accessible by stairs. In-room mini fridges are available to rent upon request at a low monthly cost.
Housing Assignments
Students live alongside a local university student in a double occupancy room with its own bathroom. According to the policy of our local host university, students must live with a roommate whose legal gender matches their own (as listed on their passport). When assigning local roommates, CET staff consider both a student’s passport-listed gender and their self-disclosed gender identity (on the CET Housing Questionnaire) to ensure a housing setup that is appropriate and conducive to student success on the program. For gender diverse students, on-site staff select a more experienced local roommate and ensure they are okay with the roommate match before finalizing. Rooms are typically double occupancy, but a single room may be provided for those with documented need if requested in advance. Students are encouraged to reach out to their Student Services Coordinator with any questions, concerns, or requests for further details on the process.
Around Beijing
Newer parts of the city offer curb cuts and elevators/escalators for subways, but some sidewalks in these areas may still present difficulties. The oldest subway lines (No.1 and 2) are inconsistent with elevators and escalators; and though staircases are often equipped with motorized stair lifts, not all staff know how to operate them. The subway station nearest to campus has elevators and escalators that can take passengers from the platform to street level without stairs. In the city center, curb cuts are less common and sidewalks are often narrow. Students will also find many gates that prevent the passage of motorbikes and bicycles into certain areas and buildings—these gates would require students in wheelchairs to use an alternative entrance.
"From the moment I was accepted into the program, the CET staff were very attentive to my every question and concern. They guided me through the typically challenging visa process, booking plane tickets, and making sure I packed everything I needed. Upon arrival, the feeling of support only increased. The on-site CET staff are quick to serve as your friend, mentor, and sometimes parent figure if you need them to."
University of Texas - Austin | Summer student
Health & Diet
As a part of your program fee, you are enrolled in GeoBlue health insurance for the entire duration of your program. Learn more about GeoBlue and how we operate programs with health and safety in mind.
Health & Medicine
There are a variety of health facilities available to students in Beijing. CET’s recommended hospital is about a 40-50 minute cab ride (approx. 60 RMB), though there are closer facilities for general practitioner visits. There are some prescription medications that are not accessible in China—students should do their research beforehand and ensure they bring their prescriptions (we recommend having your doctor include the generic medicine names as well) even if they are bringing enough for an entire term. Students can rent mini fridges to hold any medications that require refrigeration.
Keeping Fit in Beijing
Students can use the campus facilities free of charge (e.g., basketball courts, soccer fields, gym) by reserving an entry time via QR code. There are several gyms in the area equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, western weight lifting equipment, and classes (taught in Chinese) that have affordable membership fees (approximately 600-1000 RMB/term).
Managing Mental Health
Mental health counseling is available to students at international clinics in Beijing, and is fully covered by the included GeoBlue insurance plan. Most students make use of the services at Beijing United Family Hospital’s New Hope Clinical Center.
Dietary Restrictions
Special dietary needs can be accommodated in China, but require patience and persistence as many local people are not used to the idea of dietary restrictions or severe food allergies. At the beginning of the program, students with specific dietary restrictions meet with on-site staff and are taught how to communicate individual needs.
Vegetarian students have found Halal restaurants to be more receptive to requests like not adding meat. Vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free students must be patient and clear when ordering food in China. Students with stricter dietary requirements are recommended to consider cooking their own meals in the dormitory’s shared kitchen.
Resources from Alumni
BLOG Posts
This is a curated list of blog posts chosen specifically to provide context for life abroad. Posts here may cover culture shock, diversity, daily life and workload, etc. To see all posts from students in Beijing, head to the Student Voices blog.
- Cultural Exchanges and Industry Insights: From Beijing to Shanghai
By Juliano Dantas Portela, Yale University | CET Beijing, Summer 2024 - Snapshots from Week One in Beijing
By Jalen Walker, Washington University in St. Louis | CET Beijing, Spring 2024 - Off the Wall
By Dominic Bellido, Colby College | CET Beijing, Fall 2023 - Speeches and Goodbyes: How I Learned Two Speech Acts in Chinese
By Laura Romig, Brown University | CET Beijing, Summer 2023 - An Initial Reflection on Identity in China
By Angelreana Choi, Yale University | CET Beijing, Summer 2023 - What I Wish I Knew Before I Came to Beijing
By Kaylee Henderson, Kalamazoo College | CET Beijing, Fall 2019 - “下课休息吧”: Academic Life at CET Beijing
By Kaylee Henderson, Kalamazoo College | CET Beijing, Fall 2019 - A Few Firsts in China: The Language Pledge as an Absolute Beginner & Meeting my Family
By Mercedes Chen, The George Washington University | CET Beijing, Fall 2019
Perspective pieces
These are alumni-written essays that reflect upon how their own identity affected their time abroad in China (both good and bad) and what it was like to navigate another culture in their position. We encourage you to read these to better understand what studying abroad in China could be like for you or your future peers.
- Navigating China as a Black Woman: The Blacker the Berry the Sweeter the Juice by Denise Jackson, CET Beijing | Fall 2019 & Janterm 2020
For “Students of color” - CET Shanghai: Heritage Essay
by Anonymous Contributor, CET Shanghai | Summer 2019 - Support at CET Harbin
by Tatiana Wade, CET Harbin | Fall 2018
For “Students of color, low-income students, and those who want to go to China” - Black in Beijing
by Minnie Norgaisse, CET Beijing | Spring 2018 - Japanese-American Experience in Shanghai/China
by Anonymous Contributor, CET Shanghai | Summer 2018
For “Japanese (Japanese/American) in China”
China Alumni Insight
In final evaluations, we ask students how their identities affected their experience abroad. The following are a few select quotes from recent program evaluations to help you understand what life in China may be like for you or your future peers.
TALK TO ALUMNI
Chat with alumni about their experiences abroad. Once you start an application, your CET compass account will give you access to the following resources:
- Alumni Support List: A directory of students who have volunteered to chat about their experiences abroad in Greater China.
- Identity Abroad Support Network: A group of students who have volunteered to discuss their identity-related experiences in Greater China. This is a volunteer-based program that started in 2019. Volunteers can also opt to have their contact information kept privately by CET staff and only shared when certain lived experiences are asked about.
Don’t see anyone listed for the Identity Abroad Support Network? Call CET for more information and resources. Consider joining after your program to support other minority students abroad.