What is the general safety situation like?
China is a very safe country, and even the larger cities of Beijing and Shanghai are safer than most American cities. It is nonetheless important to use common sense precautions such as not walking alone at night and traveling in groups. Pickpockets are common in and around tourist sites.

What is traffic safety like?
Traffic safety is perhaps the most serious threat to you while in China. In practice, pedestrians and bicycles do not have the right of way. It is important to use caution when crossing the street and riding a bicycle.

What about housing safety and theft?
The hotel and dormitories are very safe. Security guards patrol the premises 24 hours a day. Housekeeping staff is courteous of your belongings, and we have never had a problem with theft from the hotel or dormitories.

How much money will I spend?
In the past, program participants budgeted around $10USD a day. Your only real expenses are meals and incidentals, which are inexpensive in China. Unless you are a real shopper, you will be able to live comfortably on between $250-$400USD a month.

How much do meals cost?
On average, meals cost between $4-$7USD a day, depending on your tastes.

How much does transportation cost?
There is no lack of transportation options in Shanghai! Buses crisscross the city and are the cheapest way to get around at 2RMB a ride, or roughly $0.26 cents. The Shanghai subway currently has 8 lines in operation, which cover most of the Shanghai City ,and it would be very convenient for you to go around the urban area. A subway ride costs 3-5RMB. Taxis are a convenient way to get around town. Taxis here start at 11RMB and increase by 2.1RMB per kilometer. A taxi across town or downtown costs around 30RMB or $3.75USD. Many students also opt to buy bicycles. A working bicycle costs between 200-300RMB, and is a very practical way to get around.

How do I get money or exchange money when in China?
Travelers' checks can be exchanged at major banks in China, such as Bank of China, China Industrial Bank. It is possible to withdraw local currency with a banking card at any ATM. In addition, credit card advances are available at larger banks downtown for a small fee.

What is the exchange rate?
The official exchange rate for US dollars is approximately 6.84RMB to $1USD. For Canadian dollars, the exchange rate is approximately 6.37RMB to $1CND. The exchange rate for the British pound is approximately 11.97RMB to $1GBP. These rates are for travelers' checks, which incidentally trade at a slightly higher rate than cash.

Is there a phone in my room?
There is a telephone in every hotel and dormitory room.

Should I bring my cell phone to China? Should I buy a cell phone when I arrive?
Cell phones are very convenient and inexpensive here in China. Many program participants find that once they get involved in classes and activities, they are seldom in their rooms to take calls. Therefore, cell phones allow participants to stay in touch with new friends and contacts. If your current cell phone is a 3 frequency GSM phone with a detachable SIM chip, then you can purchase a new SIM chip in China to use your current phone. If you would like to use a cell phone during your stay in China, Riostone offers a cell phone rental service to program participants. Participants can rent a GSM phone from Riostone for the period of time that they will be in China. These phones operate on a pre-paid phone card system. Phone calls are inexpensive, and a $12USD phone card usually lasts around 2-3 weeks. It is also possible to buy a new cell phone upon arrival. Phones range in price from $100USD to $500USD. A SIM chip (the phone number) costs $25USD. These phones operate on a pre-paid phone card system.

How do I make an international/overseas call from China?
There are several options for placing international phone calls from China. First, you can continue to use your ATT, MCI, Sprint, or other calling card plans, although be sure to check the rates and compare with other plans before coming to China. Second, family and friends from the States may want to try 10-10-834. The service is hit and miss, but when it works it's about 25-33 cents per minute. Third, pre-paid internet phone plans like dialpad.com can be an affordable way to call home. Lastly, IP phone cards are an affordable and convenient method to place international calls. These cards function like pre-paid phone cards, and the rate is about 15 cents a minute to the United States.

How do I send and receive faxes?
There is a fax machine in the Riostone office. Program participants can also find fax machine at some printing stores on campus.

Where can I access the internet? Where can I check my e-mail?
Free indoor internet access for Riostone program participants is provided by local universities. There is a plethora of internet cafes in and around universities. The price for the use of the internet in these locations ranges from 2-5RMB per hour, and the speed is usually very fast. If you haven't done so already, you should set up email accounts on the web at hotmail.com, yahoo.com, etc. You can also use telnet to access your university e-mail accounts.

What is the internet connection speed in China?
The internet connection speed varies depending on where you access the internet. The Riostone student lounge has an ADSL connection. Many of the internet cafe have DSL connections.

Is there a firewall in China?
Yes, there is a firewall in China. Certain internet sites are blocked by China's Ministry of Information Industry, however, e-mail services and many other sites are allowed through the firewall.

I am a vegetarian, is that a problem in China?
In general, it is not difficult to be a vegetarian in China. Many Chinese dishes are vegetarian, and restaurants can often prepare dishes made to order.

I am a vegan, is that a problem in China?
For vegans in China, it is important to ask how, and with what ingredients, dishes are prepared. There are numerous vegetable dishes in Chinese cuisine, but some of these are prepared with meat, seafood, or eggs. Asking for dishes to be specially prepared without meat, eggs, seafood, and dairy products is not a problem for restaurants.

What is the food like in China?
Chinese cuisine varies according to the region of its origin. There are four main categories of Chinese food: Lu Cai, Chuan Cai, Su Zhe Cai, and Yue Cai. Typical dishes from the northern plains, or Lu Cai, are dumplings, spring rolls, hot pot, and stir fried chicken. Chuan Cai, or Szechwan cuisine is famous for spicy dishes like pepper and chili tofu and stir-fried pork with bamboo and mushrooms. Su Zhe Cai, from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, is renowned for its vegetarian dishes and dishes such as braised pork and crab meat balls, sweet and sour fish, and stewed pork. Lastly, Yue Cai, or Cantonese style, has a variety of ingredients and produces a fresh and light taste. Well-known dishes are dim sum, shark's fin soup, stir-fried crab with ginger and scallions, and stir-fried beef with black pepper. Each city is home to hundreds of restaurants serving different varieties of Chinese food, as well as Korean, Japanese, Western, and South East Asian cuisine. Street stalls also serve fired pancakes, popcorn, and other snacks. And, if you really crave American fast food, there is no shortage of McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and other chains popping up around the country.

What is the nightlife like in Shanghai? In China?
The nightlife in Shanghai is thriving. With a variety of clubs, bars, discos, and live music venues, it is impossible to become bored by the selection. There are a number of local upcoming events-oriented publications in which events and live music events are listed. In the larger Chinese cities, bars, karaoke clubs, and discos are not in short supply. Smaller cities, however, do not have as much of the variety as cities like Beijing and Shanghai, although going out to dinner or to see Chinese opera with friends can be equally entertaining.

What kinds of cultural events come to Shanghai?
Shanghai attracts a large array of international acts, it plays host to numerous international operas, ballets, symphonies, and art exhibitions.

What is there to do for entertainment?
There are a wealth of entertainment options in the larger cities of Shanghai. International concerts and exhibitions are quite common, as well as the more traditional Chinese arts of Peking Opera and Acrobatics. There are many free monthly magazines with general listings of coming events, as well as online newsletters with updated listings.

What if I have only studied traditional characters, and my school only uses traditional characters, is it a problem if I only studied the simplified characters?
No, you will just have to work a little harder. First of all, most characters are the same. Second, there is a very logical system behind the simplification process, and it is after all simpler. Third, Riostone has a number of helpful books and will arrange special tutorials for those interested.

When do I have to apply to come to a Riostone program?
The Riostone application deadlines vary according to program specifications. In general, we encourage program participants to apply at least a month before the start date of the program in which they would like to attend.

Will I be able to transfer credit to myhome institution?
Riostone program participants can transfer the credits earned in China to their home institutions. The universities that program participants attend are internationally accredited; therefore most international universities accept credit received from these schools. Riostone urges program participants to check with their home institution's credit transfer requirements. In addition, participants on certain programs can receive a transcript from Tongji University.

What is the weather like in Shanghai?
The weather in Shanghai varies considerably during the year, from hot and humid summers to humid and cold winters. The average temperature during the winter months of December to March is -5-10 C. The spring in Shanghai is short, but mild with an average temperature of 10 - 24 C. Summers in Shanghai are very hot with temperatures in the 30 - 36 C. Fall is probably the nicest season in Shanghai with crisp temperatures ranging from 18 - 28 C.

Where can I do laundry? Dry-cleaning?
The dormitories on campus do have laundry facilities for student use. These machines operate on a pre-paid card system. The Jinjiang Magnolia Hotel offers a dry-cleaning service to hotel guests. In addition, there are many small dry-cleaning shops located in and around the campus.

What should I bring to China?
Riostone sends all program participants a pre-departure packet including a detailed packing list and other pre-departure information.

Should I bring along reading materials? Are books on China allowed through customs?
The Riostone library is stocked with quite a selection of language resource books, travel guides, novels, and history books. In addition, there are several large bookstores in Shanghai with foreign books on offer. As for books that are banned by the Chinese censorship bureau, if your luggage is searched at the airport and contains a book that has been banned, the book can be confiscated by airport security. Otherwise, you can bring in any books that you like.