Medical Insurance

 All participants of the Program must submit proof of proper medical insurance coverage for their stay in Beijing.  If you are currently insured and have ascertained that your coverage extends to Asia, that should be indicated on the health insurance form that is sent in the acceptance packet.

If you need to purchase insurance or need additional coverage, we recommend HTH Worldwide Insurance Services.  For more information, you may refer to the HTH brochure that was included in your acceptance packet.  Alternatively, you can find them on the web at www.hthworldwide.com.   Be sure to mention that you are a participant in the Associated Colleges in China program at Hamilton College.

Inoculations

In the packet you have received, there is a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that addresses the issue of inoculations as well as a variety of health matters.  You should read this report carefully. 

At this time, no immunizations are required for travel to the People's Republic of China from the United States.  If you are traveling to China from an infected area (many southeast Asian and African locations are considered infected areas), immunizations may be required.

Although inoculations are not mandatory for travel from the United States, ACC strongly recommends the following vaccinations (approximate cost follows in parentheses):

• Hepatitis A, and booster upon return ($60 each)
• Hepatitis B, if students does not already have it ($45)
•  Japanese Encephalitis ($230)
• Typhoid Fever ($38)
• Polio booster ($24)
• Anti-malarials can be taken in China once students are made aware of field trip destinations

Please be sure to schedule the vaccinations as early as possible since many of them are administered in a series with three to six months between shots.  Also, some immunizations may have slight side effects.

You should also ask your doctor for advice regarding immunizations, including tetanus and flu shots.  You may also call the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta (404-639-3311), log on to their web site at http://www.cdc.gov for the most current information, or call the U.S. Department of Public Health Disease Control in Maryland (301-443-2610).

You should bring a copy of your immunization record with you as well as an adequate supply of any prescription or non-prescription medications that you might require.  Any pre-existing medical condition, especially upper respiratory and gastro-intestinal problems, may be exacerbated by life in China.  If you become ill, you should seek medical attention immediately.  It is a good idea to find out if you are allergic to penicillin, as it is often prescribed.

Local Clinics and Hospitals for Emergencies

Medical services on a par with international standards, at costs comparable to the U.S., are now widely available in Beijing.  Some of these clinics and hospitals will bill certain foreign medical insurance companies directly.  The following clinics and hospitals are recommended:

Vista Clinic (Wei2shi4da2 Zhen3suo3)
B29 Beijing Kerry Center
No. 1 Guanghua Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: 8529-6618; Fax: 8529-6615
(a comprehensive medical facility, including dental and ophthalmology departments, 20 min. from CUEB on foot, or 5 min. by taxi; 24-hour urgent care)

International Medical (Guo2ji4 yi1liao2 zhong1xin1)
Beijing Lufthansa Centre No. 50
(Office Building, Main Floor)
50 Liangmaqiao Rd.
Tel: 6465-1561/2/3; Fax: 6465-1984

Asia Emergency Assistance Center
2-1-1 Tayuan Diplomatic Office Building
14 Liangmahe Nanlu
Administration:  462 9199
24 hours:  462-9100
Clinic:  6462 9112; Fax: 6462 9111
Offers a broad range of medical services.
A number of English-speaking doctors and nurses.
(A little more expensive than Sino-German Clinic, but better service.  Cash/Credit card.)

Beijing United Family Hospital
#2 Jiangtai Lu
Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel:  6433-3960

In case of an emergency, you or the authorities should call the ACC office at CUEB (6595-9258) or the Field Director (6597-6260) after hours.  Family members who have concerns or wish to get more information should call the ACC office or the Field Director.

Additional Health Insurance

In addition to the health insurance mentioned above, ACC suggests that all students consider obtaining the International Student Identity Cards (ISIC).  These cards provide students with Sickness and Accident Insurance as well as a 24-hour toll-free ISIC Help Line.  The Sickness and Accident Insurance covers the cardholder for basic accident, sickness and emergency evacuation (up to $25,000.00) outside the U.S.  The Help Line provides students with medical, legal and financial help and/or advice in the event of an emergency. These services are provided to you for $20.  For more information on the ISIC, visit www.statravel.com.

Mental Illness

Students with a history of mental illness of any kind should make sure that they are emotionally prepared and sufficiently stable to join the program.  Such problems are inevitably aggravated by the new demands and personal responsibilities of a foreign setting.   If you, your parents, or your physician have not been entirely candid with us, we ask you to call us immediately.  The Field Director, with the approval of the ACC Board, reserves the right to withdraw a student with mental problems from the program.

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Living in Beijing

Orientation

At the beginning of each term there will be an orientation period for new students.  These orientation periods include an informational meeting and city tour.  In addition, short excursions are made to neighborhood restaurants, the post office, bank, medical facilities and shopping centers. The three- to four-hour informational meeting covers studying, eating, living, health care, some safety tips, transportation and travel.  Of course, there will also be opportunities for students to ask questions and bring up individual concerns.

Housing

CUEB is located in the east- northeastern part of Beijing, near the Embassy Quarter, which has a large number of western hotels, restaurants, shopping centers, and office buildings.  Getting around in Beijing is very cheap and convenient with the subway, city buses, private mini-buses, and taxis all available in the area surrounding the University.

All students will be housed in CUEB's Foreign Students' Dormitory, in doubles. Each student will have a bed, desk with chair, lamp, small closet, and a safe (for storing valuables).  The room is equipped with air conditioning, heating, a telephone, a television, and a bathroom with shower, sink and toilet.  Hot water is available 24 hours a day, with very occasional interruptions.  There is a reception area in the lobby; a café and reading room on the first floor, and an Internet Café in the basement (a fee is charged to log on to the Internet).

Host Family

You will be assigned to a host family, with whom you may be spending some weekend time.  Please keep in mind that you will be entering into, and participating in, another culture.  You will find that the Chinese have different values and ways of life from people from other cultures.  The Chinese are frugal with water and electricity, and their meals may be drastically different from what you are used to.  You must be prepared to be accommodating, courteous and patient.  Because of language and cultural barriers, you may not "click" right away with your family.  It may take some time on both sides to get used to each other, however if you are open-minded and willing to delve into the host family's ways and customs, it will surely be a rewarding experience.

The first time you visit your family, you should present them with a small gift (items that have been popular include music tapes, T-shirts, pens with college names, and other typically American products).  It would also be a good idea to bring with you half a dozen or so small gifts for friends you may make later during your stay in China.

Host families also enjoy seeing photos of you, your own family, your home or college in the U.S. and the like.  Generally, your life at home is quite different from theirs, and getting an idea of where you are coming from is often helpful in bridging cultural gaps and can be very entertaining for host family members.

Most host families are willing to answer questions about themselves and their lives as well.  We feel that this provides a unique opportunity to understand China from a personal perspective.

One word of caution:  often, while visiting with your host families, teachers, or friends, you may find yourself in situations where you are invited-even strongly encouraged-to drink alcohol.  Please know that you may refuse such invitations without offending your companions.  You can say "Dui4bu4qi3, wo3 bu2hui4 he1jiu3" or "sorry, I don't drink alcohol."  It is also important to know that Chinese "white liquor" can be as strong as 120 to 130 proof, and could lead to dire consequences.

Phone Number

Please make sure that your parents or guardian have a copy of the CUEB address and telephone number.  The ACC's phone number at CUEB is 011-86-10-6595-9258, which is also the FAX number. The Field Director's home number for emergencies during off hours is 86-10-65976260 and her cell phone number is 86-13910020019. You will be given your room number and individual phone number prior to departure.  You should give these numbers to your parents or guardian.  Your telephone line is direct, so your parents or guardian do not have to go through a switchboard operator in order to reach you.

Please refer to the following chart should you or your parents forget your phone number.  Bear in mind that all calls placed to Beijing from outside of China need to begin with 011-86-10.  To reach a student's room, first dial 6597-6, followed by the 3-digit number that corresponds to the student?s room number:

Detailed information about phone charges and long distance calling to the U.S. will be given at orientation.  You may obtain calling cards once in China to make international calls.  Should your family wish to obtain phone cards to call you from the U.S., we have had success purchasing reliable calling cards online at www.1st-phone-cards.com.

Address

Address in English
Your Name                                                                                          Associated Colleges in China                                                 
Foreign Students Dormitory                                                  
Capital University of Economics and Business    
Hongmiao, Chaoyang District                               
Beijing, P.R. China 100026    

Letters with the address in Chinese may be delivered faster  (please write both the Chinese and the English address in this case).  It is also useful to photocopy the address in Chinese and simply paste it on the envelope alongside the address in English.

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Currency and Money Management

Renminbi (RMB), the basic unit of Chinese currency, is also called "yuan" or "kuai", which is divided into ten "jiao" or "mao", which is in turn divided into ten "fen".  The recent average rate of exchange has been between 7.8 and 7.9 RMB to the dollar.

China, but you will be able to exchange currency in the airport lobby  (at either an ATM or a bank window) upon arrival.  When you leave China, your excess Chinese currency may be reconverted to U.S., Canadian, or Hong Kong currency, or you may take it out of the country with you (for use in a future trip to China).  To reconvert Chinese currency into foreign currency, you must present receipts for the original exchange from foreign to Chinese currency, so be sure to keep these receipts in case you need them upon departure.

Currency upon arrival and departure:  You cannot secure Chinese currency outside of China and selected luxury hotels in many major cities.  ATMs are becoming more common in China, but not all foreign ATM cards work on these machines (even when the banks at home insist that they work in China) so don't count on them.  We recommend that you use only American Express, as it is the best-known company in China.

Access to funds in China:  If you have an American Express card plus an American or Hong Kong checking account, you may get cash (U.S. dollars or RMB) or purchase traveler's checks for up to that company's limit (currently $1,500 each 21-day period) at the Bank of China in the China World Trade Center (Guo2Mao4, a 20-minute walk from CUEB) or the Citic Bank.  Cash may also be gotten using an ATM card, which is the preferred method for most students.
Money can be wired to you in China through a bank.  In China it normally takes a day or two for wired money to clear.  In an emergency, the person sending you money should check with Western Union or with American Express (if he/she is an account holder) for possible ways of wiring money more quickly. 

We recommend bringing adequate funds with you in order to avoid requiring emergency funds being sent from the United States.  The best way to do this is to bring extra money in the form of traveler's checks (the unused portion may be redeposited into an account upon returning to the United States), or bring an Visa or Master Card with personal checks.

Spending Money

 As stated in the previous section, we suggest that you travel to China with an adequate supply of money in the form of traveler's checks.  Although all room, tuition, textbooks, and travel costs have been included in the Program fee schedule, participants are responsible for paying for most meals and all incidental costs, e.g., personal entertainment, shopping, etc.  Each dorm room is equipped with a safe so that any unused traveler's checks may be kept safe there until needed.

Please keep in mind that it is wiser to buy gifts for family and friends back home later during your stay in China.  It may be tempting to start shopping right away, but most students find that they are able to spend money more wisely as they become more accustomed to their surroundings, and more familiar with price ranges, quality of products and stores.

The amount of spending money you should bring depends on the amount of shopping and independent travel you wish to do in China.  While prices have not increased significantly in recent times, higher-quality goods and services, and travel opportunities are becoming increasingly available, so it is a good idea to bring more money than you think you will need.  Students who participated in last year's program have reported that for the summer session, $600-$900 is a sufficient amount of spending money.  For the fall and spring sessions, most students agreed that $2,000-$2,500 was a good amount to have on hand per semester.  Students who plan on doing extensive traveling or who plan on buying many gifts may wish to have more money on hand.

Food and Meals

 Students are not required to eat together as a group except for Friday noon, which is our "language table day."  Students have their choice of either eating in the foreign students' cafeteria, Chinese students' cafeteria  or going out to eat at various restaurants.  The main purpose of this arrangement is to encourage students to experience Chinese culture.  Thus, unless prevented by medical, moral or religious restrictions, all students are expected to experience all aspects of Chinese cuisine, which is a significant aspect of the culture.

The amount of money you spend on food varies greatly depending on the kind of restaurant you choose.  As of this writing, we have found that an average of $8-$10 is the typical expense for three simple meals a day, assuming that you stay away from four star hotels and Western restaurants.

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What to Bring

 Clothing

Durable, washable, comfortable clothing is best for all seasons.  Aim to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  Style is not as important as comfort and general tidiness.

Beijing is quite hot and humid during the summer.  Use your own judgment and dress accordingly.  Sandals are common for men and women.  Also bring sneakers and walking shoes, cotton socks, a bathing suit, cool pajamas, and loose summer trousers.

Summer: 

Dark colors are recommended, and you should think in terms of dressing in multiple layers for warmth.  For outdoors, you'll need warm socks, pants, jacket, hat and gloves.  The building where you live and have classes is very warm, so even in the wintertime, you will need some summer clothes for indoor wear.  In March, the weather begins to become warmer again, but it can be very windy at times.

Fall, winter, and spring:

A pair of good sunglasses (available in some Chinese retail stores) will protect your eyes from glare and the ubiquitous dust and grime, especially if you wear contact lenses.

All types of clothing are available in Beijing, and at much better prices than elsewhere in the world, so unless you are a very odd size, you don't really need to bring too much with you.  Note: don't bring or buy clothes you would be upset about ruining.  Keep nice clothes down to one or two outfits for special occasions, the rest should be fairly casual and dispensable. 

Toiletries

 American and many joint-venture products such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soaps, shampoos, tampons, and other toiletries are available in joint-venture stores and even some local Chinese stores.  Based on reports from last year's participants, however, we do recommend that if you have a strong preference for a specific brand of toiletry, bring extra since some students found it difficult to find an adequate supply while in China.  It is also a good idea to bring your own deodorant, since it is very expensive and difficult to find in China.

If you wear contact lenses, bring some solution.  There is a Bausch & Lomb branch office (and Lens Crafters) in Beijing where saline solutions, contact lenses, and other eye products can be purchased.  Bring a pair of glasses in case your eyes become too irritated to wear your contacts.  There is a lot of dust in the Beijing air.  It is also wise to bring a copy of your eyeglass prescription.

When traveling around China, it is a good idea to carry a small first-aid kit equipped with aspirin, antibiotic ointment, and Band-Aids.

Office and Postal Supplies

 Standard desk supplies like paper, paper clips, pencils and sharpeners, file cards, and envelopes can be found in Chinese stationery stores (though supplies are irregular).  All international post offices provide boxes/packaging services for a small fee, and because all the contents of your package must be screened by a post office official before it can be sent, they prefer that you use their packaging services.

Electrical Appliances

Preparation for your very first class will require you to listen to CDs.   A CD player will also come in handy for relaxation.  Bring your own CDs and head cleaner.

The electric current in China is 220 volts, 50 cycles.  Therefore, if you bring appliances from the U.S., you will need a voltage converter to convert U.S. equipment from 110 volts Electrical outlets in China are also much different from outlets in the U.S., so you may need adapters for your various appliances.  These are widely available in China, but you may also find them at Radio Shack and most stores that specialize in electrical appliances.

An alternative is to buy Chinese-made electronics, though the quality is less consistent.  Walkmans, small cassette players, and various sized batteries are all sold in China.

Computers

 There are three PC computers available to students, which are adequate for class-related tasks.  However, if you anticipate using a computer extensively, or wish to do e-mail from your room, it is recommended that you bring your own computer.  Since most notebook computers have adjustable power, students should not have trouble with the difference in voltage.  Students should, however, check their computers to make sure that 220 voltage is acceptable.  Internet access through the telephone line in your dormitory room is available for under $10 per month.  Your computer will need to be equipped with a modem.   

MS Office 2000 or XP used on PC's is Chinese-capable without any additional software, though the Chinese capability needs to be activated.  It would be best if this is done before you depart for ACC.  If your computer equipment is different from this, and if you anticipate using your computer for Chinese, you should consult with your Chinese teacher on your home campus before departing for ACC.  You should bring your computer's purchase documentation with you in case your computer needs servicing while in China

The Internet "Bar", an alternative to bringing your own computer, is in the basement of the dormitory.  All the computers there are PC's.  As of spring 2004, the rate for Internet access was 8 RMB (about $1) per hour, or 2 RMB per 15 minutes.  There is also an off-campus Internet café nearby that costs only 3 RMB per hour.

List of Suggested Items

 Beijing is now a cosmopolitan city where just about everything is available, and at better prices than elsewhere in the world. The items in the following list are most likely available as well, but perhaps not in your favorite brand, style or size.

Backpack for outings and field trips

Deodorant

CD for class purposes (listening & language learning CDs)

Music 

USB Memory Stick

Tampons

Traveler's checks

Contact lens solution

Credit cards

Dental floss

Pictures of family & U.S.

Vitamins

Cold medicine

Earplugs

Aspirin

Good socks              

Kaopectate/Imodium

Sneakers

Pepto-Bismol

Insect repellent

Cough drops

A portable alarm clock

Sunglasses

China guide books

Sunscreen

Camera (and film if you use slides and faster speeds)

Waist pack

Passport-sized pictures for IDs-about 4

Gifts for host family

For fall students, American holiday/Christmas cards to give out

Plastic (Nalgene) bottle for the hot water dispensers

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SUMMARY OF ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN NOW

Please attend to the following as soon as possible:

1.  Obtain a passport and send us the number before March 15, 2004, if you are enrolled for the summer, summer & fall, or fall & spring terms.  Spring students must submit their passport numbers to us by October 20, 2004.

2.  Make arrangements for remaining payments to be made according to the schedule outlined above.

3.  Obtain appropriate medical insurance and send policy number to ACC, if you have not already done so.

4.  Notify us by March 31 (summer and summer/fall students) if you wish to travel to Beijing separately.  If you are doing so, fax or e-mail your travel itinerary to us before May 1.  Entering fall students should send itineraries by July 15, and spring students by December 1.

5.  If appropriate, make arrangements for outside financial aid to be transferred to Hamilton College for your stay in China.

6.  Finally, since simplified characters are most widely used on mainland China, ACC strongly recommends that participants become conversant with this system as soon as they are accepted into the program. Mastering simplified characters as soon as possible will make for a smoother transition once you are in China.

Finally, be sure to consult your e-mail on a regular basis from now on.  We will be keeping you updated with information about visas, traveling, preparation, etc. via e-mail and it is quite important that you do not miss these messages.  We regularly use school e-mail addresses.  If you tend to use an alternate address more frequently, please notify the office so that we can change your address on the mass mailing list.

This concludes the information we want to share with you for now.  We ask you to reread all the preceding pages carefully and be sure that all information mentioned is sent to the ACC office in a timely fashion.  Consult carefully the summary above.

Later notices will relate to traveling, lodging, miscellaneous information, or, if necessary, items missing from your file.  Please do not hesitate to call the ACC Program Coordinator at 315-859-4326 with questions.  Because of the number of matters involved, it is extremely important that we keep in close touch between now and the day of departure.

Meanwhile, best wishes for a successful semester.

Hong Gang Jin
Professor of Chinese
ACC General Director

Lijia Zhang and Calum MacLeod, China Remembers.  (London:  Oxford University Press, 1999)

Jung Chang, Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China.  (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1991).

Cheng Li, Rediscovering China: Dynamics and Dilemmas of Reform. (Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1997).

Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn, China Wakes: The Struggle for the Soul of a Rising Power.  (New York: Vintage Books, 1994).

Orville Schell and David Shambaugh, eds. The China Reader: The Reform Era, (New York: Vintage Books, 1999).

Warren I. Cohen, America's Response to China: A History of Sino-American Relations, 4th edition (New York: Columbia University Press, 2000).

Patrick Tyler, A Great Wall: Six Presidents and China (New York, Public Affairs, 2000).

James Mann, About Face: A History of America's Curious Relationship With China (New York: Vintage Books, 2000).

Robert E. Allison, ed., Understanding the Chinese Mind: The Philosophical Roots (Hong Kong, Oxford University Press, 1989).

Paul S. Ropp, ed., Heritage of China: Contemporary Perspectives on Chinese Civilization (Berkeley, University of California Press, 1990).

W.Hu and C. Grove, Encountering the Chinese, 1991

C. Blackman, Negotiating China: Case Studies and Strategies, 1997

J.K. Fairbank, China: A New History, 1992

Perry Link, Evening Chats in Beijing, 1992

A. Thurston, China Bound: Revised, 1994

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Suggested readings to prepare for ACC