Included Program Benefits: Students will receive tuition and housing in Beijing, one 16-day trip and one 6-day trip each semester, many guided tours in Beijing, Emergency Evacuation insurance, and a full-time on site Director.

Program Costs and tips on cost of living: 

The typical student spending range in Beijing is between $1,000 and $3,000 per semester. This will, of course, depend on your student's spending habits. There are two student cafeterias and a coffee shop located on the University of International Business and Economics campus. Students can get a hot meal at these locations for less than $1. There are also many local restaurants with dishes costing about $1 or $2. Food is relatively inexpensive and three meals a day will generally cost between $3 and $5.  Bicycles are the best way to travel short distances in Beijing and can be bought for around $20. Taxis are affordable (about $7 to get downtown) and are easy to find in Beijing. The Beijing Center provides students with a set of taxi cards to aid in communicating with taxi drivers. Beijing also has a modern public transportation system including local busses (about 25c to get downtown), and a subway system. Independent travel in and around China can be another major expense. There are several program sponsored excursions that are of no cost to students, except meals. Students are responsible for the cost of their own airfare and should budget for this. 

Estimated Costs per Semester:
Room Supplies:  $100
Books:  $200-$300
Local Travel:  $150-$200
Gifts and Souvenirs:  $200-$400

Health Services, Insurance Information: No vaccines are required for China, but several are recommended. It is best to check with the Center for Disease Control www.cdc.gov for the most recent news on health and vaccination. The vaccine for hepatitis A is strongly recommended, as well as the typhoid vaccine, especially for students going to Beijing for the spring semester. Normally students do not need malaria or rabies vaccines for the group’s travel locations, but it is good to read the CDC recommendations.  It is best to consult your doctor and then make your own decision. Your student should know his or her blood type before leaving for Beijing and inform the Director of Student Development at The Beijing Center if they have a negative blood type. Students should bring prescription medications with them and be sure to pack it in their carryon luggage in case their checked luggage is delayed. Although many prescriptions can be filled at the pharmacies in Beijing, it is safer for your student to bring their own supply.

Health Insurance is required for all students. Check with your insurance carrier to make sure your student will be covered while they are in China. Students are provided with emergency evacuation insurance, paid for by Loyola. However, this is only valid if your student has health insurance in the United States that will cover them in emergencies while they are overseas.

Link to Consular Information Sheet: It is important for your son/daughter to know as much as possible about the country he/she will be living in or visiting. The U.S. Department of State provides American Citizens with information on each country/territory around the world. Here is the link to the Country Specific Information on China, along with Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1089.html

Visa Procedures/Airline arrangements: Students planning to study abroad in China are required to get a visa prior to leaving for study abroad. Students are responsible for procuring their own visa. Information regarding the process, application, required documents and fees can be found at: http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84243.htm. 

Semester students should apply for an “F” visa, which allows students to stay in China up to six months. It may be extended.  The Chinese consulate will only be able to grant a single entry “F” visa rather than a multiple entry visa. On this visa your student will only be able to enter China once. However if they choose to travel outside of China during their stay they can purchase a “re-entry visa” in China. If your student is planning on visiting other countries during their study abroad program, they may wish to bring some 2”x 2” photos for the re-entry visa application.  Students should also be sure to read the consular sheets on any country they plan to visit outside of China.

Students going for the full year will need to get an “X” visa. They will also be required to apply for a resident permit and get a health physical once they arrive in China. The Beijing Center staff will assist in making the arrangements.

Once students are accepted by The Beijing Center they will be provided with the additional documents they will need to get a visa. Your student will then have to visit the Chinese embassy or consulate that is closest to their residence. Your student, or someone they trust, must go in person to the embassy/consulate for both the visa application and the visa pick up. It is possible to use a visa service if your student does not live near one of the consulates. The Beijing Center’s website has a lot of helpful information regarding the visa process.  

Airline arrangements are also the student’s responsibility. There is a mandatory orientation at Loyola Chicago before students depart for Beijing. Students can contact Jennifer Talarico at Loyola Chicago about being part of the group flight from Chicago to Beijing. If students take the group flight, The Beijing Center will have a charter bus pick them up at the airport with the rest of the group. If students are not traveling with the group they should contact The Beijing Center with their travel arrangements and discuss how arrival will be handled. Students should plan to arrive in Beijing on the assigned day if possible.  

Banking / Money Issues:  Credit Cards are typically only accepted at expensive hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas. While credit cards will be necessary in case of a medical emergency, do not expect to charge day to day items. Cash advances from a credit card are available at some major banks, though the transaction charge is high and one can only access $100 per day.

ATM cards can be used in many ATM machines in Beijing. Using an ATM card to access money from an account at home works well because then both students and parents can have access to the account. Be mindful that transaction fees may be issued.

Traveler’s checks are another safe and easy way to bring money to China and can be cashed at many banks near the campus. Personal checks cannot be used for payment in China. Students should alert their bank and credit card companies that they will be traveling abroad so that their accounts are not shut off when they start making international charges.

Packing / Getting Ready: Students participating in the Beijing program will have the chance to speak with past Loyola-Beijing students regarding the latest tips on packing. It is recommended that students bring clothing that can be worn in layers. Beijing has four distinct seasons and it can get very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. Another strong recommendation is comfortable shoes or boots (preferably waterproof) since students will be doing a lot of walking. Students need to remember that they will have to carry whatever they bring with them and everything they bring will have to come back with them. The general rule in packing to go overseas for an extended period of time is to pack what you think you need and then take out one third! It is very easy to overpack without intending to.

The electrical output in China is 220 Volts AC 50 hz. Generally laptop supplies will be good for 220 Volts. They will be marked, so check before your student packs their computer. Students will need to purchase converts for their electrical equipment.   Converts do NOT however always protect the equipment so make sure to check the volts. Most hair dryers and stereos do not do hold up well so it may be necessary to purchase these items while abroad.

If your student plans to bring their laptop it is recommended that you insure it against any loss. 

Housing: Students are housed in the International Student Center on campus at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing. Each student room is fully furnished and has a private bathroom. Standard rooms are double occupancy.  Located in the International Student Center are a small café and convenience store, an internet café, laundry room, and kitchens on each floor. There is also a private DVD lounge with a television, DVD player, and couches, two wireless study lounges and a fully furnished gym. 

Communication: One option is a program called Skype. Skype is an internet-based calling system (www.skype.com/download) that enables you to call for free or inexpensively. All that is required is an internet connection and a microphone for the computer. You can call computer-to-computer for free. You can also call from computer to a landline or mobile phone at very cheap rates. This works well in a few combinations—computer to computer, or the student’s laptop to your home/cell phone, or the student’s room/cell phone to your computer.

Misc:  Prior to arrival in Beijing, students are matched with host students from the University of International Business and Economics. Students are also assigned a Chinese language tutor, paid for by The Beijing Center. Students can meet with their tutors for an hour the evening before each Chinese language class; students are required to take 3 credits of Chinese each semester.  

• You should also make sure that all of your student’s Loyola bills are paid on time otherwise we will not be able to register students for classes at Loyola for their return semester.
• If you plan to visit your student while they are in Beijing you should find out from them when their group trips will be scheduled so that you can best plan your visit.  

Websites:

The Beijing Center    
The US Embassy in Beijing    
Currency conversion 
The World Clock