Before coming to China in 2024, download these apps

[@Cthulhu_451]

Perfect timing! I'm heading to Xiamen to begin my studies in one month. Super useful video, thank you! 😄As someone else has already said, I'd be interested in hearing about the admission procedure too and what your first couple of weeks looked like for you. Also I'd love to hear about how much time off we can expect and when, tips for travelling on a budget, apps to help plan a trip, how to book trains and accommodation etc.

[@thejourneyofjake]

Awesome! I'll probably see you around campus as I've signed up for one more semester. First couple of weeks were crazy haha there's too many things to fit into a comment but they do help you through the whole process. If you're coming for a full year then you'll get a week in Oct for National Golden Week, then 5 weeks for winter vacation and 7 weeks for summer vacation - not bad! China is a very budget-friendly travel country. Get Trip.com or Meituan to book hotels. For trains you can watch one of my previous videos where I took a train and share some hacks for booking tickets kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpPLf5-qm7tohqMsi=ufDQLbPFJcHOTWn8 Any other questions let me know!

[@ryu.ix7]

Me too😆 Whats ur major?

[@Cthulhu_451]

@@thejourneyofjakeThanks for all that Jake! I've watched all your travel videos so I will re-watch to pick up some tips. I'm actually heading to a different university in the Jimei district but perhaps I'll see you around downtown Xiamen someday 😄

[@Cthulhu_451]

@@ryu.ix7 I'm going to a different university in Xiamen, XMUT in the Jimei District 🙁

[@轘辕烟树]

It is indeed illegal to use an unapproved VPN in China. However, as long as you do not do something particularly bad, such as promoting reactionary speech or inputting illegal content into China’s internet, you will generally not be punished. As for those research institutes and universities, as well as formal companies that need foreign trade, etc., they can apply for compliant VPN from government.

[@ryu.ix7]

Can you also talk about the admission procedures after arriving at Xiamen University😁

[@thejourneyofjake]

There are a lot of things to do when you get to school, residence permit, bank account, the dorms, your first two weeks will be a bit crazy but rest assured once you're done life is very comfortable. I won't have time to make a video about before school starts but if you have specific questions I'd be happy to answer as best I can remember!

[@ryu.ix7]

@@thejourneyofjake Does the university help us to get the residence permit and take us there or they just give us the papers? And also do u recommend to get a simcart from the airport or from city centre or there the same prices? And thanks in advance for ur reply🤍🤍

[@thejourneyofjake]

I had to leave the country pretty soon after I arrived so I did everything myself which was complicated but I'm pretty sure they arrange buses to take you to get your physical exam done, then to the entry exit bureau to help you submit for the permit. I got a SIM card from the airport, but I would wait to get a SIM card from uni if I had my time again, they have better deals running especially during the first few weeks of semester

[@jehuty68]

“download that baby and uh what your credit card increase exponentially ”hhhhhhhh

[@vivitrumanto]

Hi, I am going to china for vacation in a few days. Does letsvpn still work as of now? I already have windscribe, apparently it works in china, but I need another vpn as a back up. I already have alipay app as well. However, does google map work using vpn, or is it better to download a local map app as you mentioned? Thanks so much!

[@thejourneyofjake]

I'm currently using let's VPN to write this comment 🙂 google maps does work with a VPN but I wouldn't rely on it for taking buses/trains etc. if you want to use public transport I would recommend gaode 高德

[@thejourneyofjake]

Oh and everything on google maps seems to be offset but 100 metres or so...not sure why

[@vivitrumanto]

@@thejourneyofjake wonderful!! Thanks so much for your video by the way, really helps! Yeah, google maps basically quite sucks everywhere, even when I was in Japan, Korea and some European countries.

[@wqc5639]

I know that you decided to stay in the dorms but do you know of other international students that live outside the dorms and do you know anything about that process?

[@thejourneyofjake]

I do, I actually have filmed a video about it that I haven't had the time to edit yet haha it's all fairly simple even for foreigners. What specifically would you like to know?

[@wqc5639]

⁠@@thejourneyofjakeoh that makes me feel good that it’s a seemingly easy process! I think I was wondering more so on average rental pricing for one person? Also another question: If you go for a semester in March can you extend your time for another semester if you apply for it? Not sure if you’ve run into this predicament. Side note: love your content ❤