<p>Does anybody have any advice for me for study abroad in china this summer? I will be in Beijing all summer for a language program. What kinds I'd things to pack, to not pack. Safety, dealing with money, things to do/avoid doing, etc. any advice you have is greatly appreciated thanks!</p>
<p>Pornography of any kind is illegal. So, you’ll just have to use your imagination for those late, lonely, nights.</p>
<p>I think “jennypenny” is a girl, so NJCollegeboy I dont think she will have that problem lol</p>
<p>Women do it too. They just don’t talk about it like us guys. I know a bunch of women that do it much more that me. Some of the women I studied abroad with even brought their own toys.</p>
<p>It all depends on the person, not necessarily the gender.</p>
<p>Hmm… Consider bringing a mask (the kind doctors use) (air quality can suck). If you go to street vendors, be wary of people trying to rip you off. Be prepared to pay for everything, things that you normally wouldn’t have to pay for in the US (like water in some restaurants).</p>
<p>Granted, I haven’t been to Beijing in 7 years or so, so things may have changed.</p>
<p>Water is free at most restaurants (just ask for bing shui) they will also have bottled water for a charge though. You shouldnt drink from the tap. There is no tipping at restaurants, but hotel and upscale restaurants will add a service fee.</p>
<p>When shopping for clothing and such at the markets be prepared to offer around 50-75% of the initial offer (maybe more). In fact, if you offer an amount at all, and they accept youll be in trouble (either paying too much or unable to walk away without a verbal assault) I never offer a price until Im sure Ive found their bottom price. To do this just keep asking for their lower price (stick with it they will try their best to get a price out of you), then eventually walk away and theyll continue to shout out lower prices as you walk then youll know the ballpark price for the same item at other stalls.</p>
<p>Beijing is relatively safe but who knows what can happen late at night around the bar areas. Even young kids (under 18) go to these areas though. Sanlitun is a popular area (on the East side of the city near the embassies) with lots of restaurants, both higher end shopping and the stalls that I mentioned above, and a good movie theater.</p>
<p>It will be hot.</p>
<p>If you are bringing a laptop of other internet capable device you might want to look into getting a VPN this will get you on Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and other sites if you want that.</p>
<p>I meant 50-75% less than the initial offer.</p>
<p>Isn’t a VPN illegal in China? My son will be studying in China next year. I’m sure he’d want one but I wouldn’t want him to get in legal trouble.</p>
<p>A giant bottle of hand sanitizer.</p>
<p>Guys a lot of the laws people fret about aren’t really applied to foreigners (ie VPNs, Porn, etc) and enforcement tends to be pretty lax even for Chinese. A lot of these laws are on the books so that they can be enforced when the Chinese authorities want to, but generally aren’t most of the time. For example, in many parts of China it’s technically illegal to have an overnight guest without permission from the local government (this is a hold-over from the Mao era), but nobody actually seeks out such permission, and if you actually went to the local government office to get permission, you would probably be met with blank stares all around. </p>
<p>I lived in China for over a year, and I never heard of anybody getting in trouble for using a VPN or visiting a banned website. Now, if you’ve downloaded a hundred videos about the Tiananmen Massacre and are showing them to all your Chinese friends, or if you’re using your blog to boast about your sexual exploits with Chinese women, as this fellow did: [Sex</a> and Shanghai / ???](<a href=“http://chinabounder.blogspot.com/]Sex”>http://chinabounder.blogspot.com/) then yes, it’s likely to land you in legal trouble or physical danger. I was actually in China during a relatively tense period in U.S.-China relations (mid 2009-mid 2010) and experienced no personal animosity or legal problems. If you’re just an ordinary American student or young professional, they’ll probably leave you alone.</p>
<p>I travel to Beijing frequently, i wouldn’t be too worried about safety, Beijing is extremely safe in my opinion provided you use common sense i.e. if a crowd looks dodgy, don’t interact with them etc. </p>
<p>Pollution can be a problem at times, but i didn’t really find it an issue.</p>
<p>Things not to do:
-Like the other guys say, it might be fine if you go on a banned website (my best friend from shanghai uses Facebook like crazy)
-It won’t be as free as US i.e. don’t shout free tibet in Beijai park etc.</p>
<p>Things to do:
-Make sure you check out the historical sights like the palaces, temples, great wall etc.
-If it with a street vendor make sure you bargain or haggle the price to lower value, many vendors are willing to let you have it cheaper</p>