China Travel Forum

[Leslie]

I'm planning to study chinese for a semester in Beijing or Shanghai next year.
I have already learned chinese for several years, so I'm able to start on a higher level.
At the moment I can't decide what university I should chose:
In Beijing "Beijing Language and Culture University" or "Beijing Foreign Studies University",
in Shanghai "Shanghai International Studies University".
The language courses of Fudan or Jiaotong in Shanghai do not seem to have a good reputation.
At the moment I would prefer Shanghai as a location, despite of the local shanghai huà.
But I do not have informations if "Shanghai International Studies University"
is that good in teaching western foreigners.
"Beijing Language and Culture University" is famous, but concentrates on asian students, as it seems.

[Daniel]

All the five schools (two in Beijing and three in Shanghai) are state-accredited, though none of them is really of great academic reputation if just strictly in terms of Chinse language studies. But hey, as a foreign language student (which I assume you are), what difference would it really make anyway? Why? Because you're not going to learn Chinese (or any foreign language) well simply from attending the courses; instead, it's your daily interactions with the local folks which will really get you submerged in the culture, teach you the language, and beyond. In my humble opinion, a language school does little more than just providing you with an initial foothold so at least you won't just feel drowned once setting your foot onto a strange land. So no matter you do, make sure you TALK to the local folks as opposed to just getting stuck in the classroom.
If you insist I suggest one from the five anyway, I'd rather go with one of the two located in Beijing. And I'm sure, based on what I just said above, it's not going to be too hard for you to figure out why.