Shaoyuan # 5
Collection of major companies near our campus, including Google! (thank you Derek Hardy again)
My living situation here in China is both worse and better than I expected. I live in a dormitory style building called Shaoyuan # 5 that sits near the West Gate of Beida. Most of the students in our program live here except for those that are more proficient in Chinese or have lived in China at some other point. Those folks live in apartments in the Wudaoko district near campus.
Home until May! Shaoyuan #5 (photo by Derek Hardy)
I live with two guys, Spike and Winston. Spike is from the University of Massachusetts, and Winston is from NYU. I couldn’t be happier with these two as roommates. Spike was here at Beida last semester, thus he is the go-to person for any questions. Winston is an incredible artist who is working here for an art and fashion magazine, Madame Figaro. Winston and I share a room, while Spike (seniority rules) lives in the single room. We all share a bathroom.
The room was initially worse than expected with respect to cleanliness and upkeep. It looks as if vacuuming is an afterthought, and the walls are a little bit less white than I think originally intended. We have a decent amount of furniture. The double room lacks any sort of dresser or drawer unit, but we do have a mini refrigerator, TV (only two English channels), a desk, beds, and chairs. The beds, however, aren’t too friendly on the back. Decorating the room has consisted mostly of our shirts and underwear dangling from the clothesline that stretches across the room (no dryers). I am adjusting nicely though!
With all of the customary “Western” and “American” amenities that we are missing, I am more than content. In fact, we are really spoiled here! Most dorms at Beida are much more crammed—4 or 5 to a room. And according to some local students, our dorm is in much better shape than most. To top it off, each morning someone comes into the room to straighten up the beds, lightly dust a desk surface (maybe), and deliver two new hot water containers with fresh tea bags.
Street fruit vendor near Beida in Wudaokou (photo by Derek Hardy)
Expectations are intriguing. Mine have been met, exceeded, fallen short of, and shifted dramatically. A new country will do that to you.
HEY! I’m studying at PKU in like 5 days. What program did you study through? thanks for the info on the dorms
Hi Joanna! Glad to hear from someone going to PKU. It’s a fun place. I was with the China Studies Institute. Our office was in the history department. A couple tips for the PKU campus: the noodle house and boudzi house are great palces to eat. Also, make sure to make a trip down to the Wudaokou clothing market – it’s past the wudaokou subway a ways. But a fun place to see!
Thanks! I am also studying through Chinese studies institute. Just realize you responded to my comment, haha. I move in today!
Hi joanna!
How are you ? I’m from portugal and you ??
i’m going to study to beijing next semester, can you help about some questions ??
Do you mind if i get you e-mail ?
I’m so looking forward it .. and scacred too!!
thanks