Preparing to Study in Shanghai

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PreparingtoStudyinShanghai7THINGSYOUMUSTDOBEFORECOMING:

1. GetaVPN(page6);2. BringyouroriginalFudanAdmissionLetter(page3-4);3. LinkyourSkypeaccounttoacreditcard(page5);4. DownloadandregisterforWeChatBEFOREYOUCOMETOCHINA;itcanbeproblematictoregisterforWechatinChinawhenyougethere,soregisteranaccountbeforeyoucome.

5. Unlockyourcellphone(page5-6);6. DotheDigitalDisbursementsetup(followinstructionsprovidedbytheMalibuoffice)

7. Confirmyouroverseasmedicalinsurancecoverage(pages6)

FAQs:

PACKING 1.Checkthedimensionandweightlimitsforluggagewithyourairlinebeforeyoustartpacking.

WeCANNOTadviseonthesize,weight,ornumberofbagsallowed,noronthecost.Pleasevisittheairlinewebsite,andbeawarethatrestrictions/allowancesmaydifferbasedonconnectingairlinesanddeparturecities(theallowancesgoingovermaynotbethesameastheonesforwhenyoureturn).

2.Lessissomuchmore.

Everysemester,studentspayridiculousoverweightfeesattheairportwhentheygohome.Keepthisinmind:You’recomingtoChina–theworld’sfactory.Wesuggestyoulayoutallthethingsyouplanonpacking,andthenreduceeverythingby1/3.It’sadifficultprocess,butitisworthit.

Bypackingless,youwillhavemorespaceforshoppingwithoutthrowingawayorshippingitems.Ifyoudochoosetoshipthingshome,beawarethatitcanbeveryexpensive.Youdon’twanttousethecheapestregularpostalserviceinChinaasittakesforeverandit’sjustnotreliable.IfyouusefasterlogisticsproviderslikeUPS,FedExorDHL,shippingaboxhomemaycost300–400USD.Bottomline:don’tplantotakebackmorethanyoucanfitintoyourregularluggageallowance.

3.Packabilityandmultiple-usegarmentsarekey.

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Lookforjacketsandcoatsthatpackdownintoaverysmallsize.Bringclothingthatcanbeusedforavarietyofpurposes/occasions.Thegoalistomaximizeusabilitywhileminimizingtheamountofstuffyouneedtobring.

4.Thingsyoushouldconsiderbringing.

Firstly,notethatshanghaiisamajorcosmopolitancity.TherearehundredsofthousandsofforeignnationalslivinginShanghaiand,assuch,youcangetprettymuchanythinghere.However,thereareafewthingsthatyoushouldbringfromtheUS:

• Medications(especiallyiftheyareprescribed!).TherearealotofoverthecountermedicinesthatarenotavailableorslightlydifferentinChina,soifyoupreferacertainbrand,youshouldbringit.

• Ifyouhaveaseriousallergy,bringyourepipen!!• Yourfavoritehairproductordeodorant(youcangettheseinChina,buttheymay

nothaveyourfavoritebrand).• Yourowncreditcard(foremergencies)andanATM/Debitcard.• Ifyouarealightsleeper,bringearplugsandsleepingmask.• AcellphonethatisUNLOCKED.Ifyouarenotsureifyouphoneislockedornot,

checkwithyourserviceprovider.

5.Weather

Shanghaihasextremeclimates,veryhotandhumidinthesummerandearlymonthsinthefallandquitecoldinthewinter.SeebelowfortheaveragetemperaturesinShanghai.TheSpringandSummercanbequiterainytoo.

ELECTRICITY 1.OutletsinChinaare220V,outletsintheU.S.are120V.

ChecktomakesurethattheitemsyouarebringingtoChinaareratedforvoltageat220V.Thisinformationisusuallywrittenonthebackofyourdeviceorontheelectricalcord.Most“digitalage”electronics,suchaslaptops,iPads,iPhones,electricrazors,etc.are

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ratedforvoltagesthatrangefrom110-220V.Foritemsthatareratedfor220V,youonlyneedtopurchaseanadaptor,notaconverter.Ifyouritemsarenotratedfor220V,thenyouwillneedtobuyaconverter.

Adaptor Converter

AdaptorschangetheshapeoftheplugsothatitfitsproperlyintoChineseelectricalsockets.AdaptorsDONOTchangethevoltagecomingoutofthesocket.

Convertersreduceorincreasetheelectricaloutputofapowersource.Themostcommonusefortheseconvertersistochangethevoltagefrom220Vdownto110V,orfrom110Vupto220V.TheymayormaynotchangetheshapeoftheplugtofitproperlyintoChineseelectricalsockets.

2.Buytherightadaptorforyouritemsthatareratedfor220V.

Chineseelectricalplugshave2or3flatprongsthatfitinsidethesocket.(seebelow)

3. Leave yourU.S.appliances

athome.

IntheU.S.,hairdryers,flatirons,curlingirons,juicers,toasters,etc.arenotusuallyratedfor220V.Evenwithaconverter,theseappliancesoftenblowfuses,breakconverters,andcanevenstartfireswhentheyarepluggedintooursockets.Leavetheseitemsathome!!!WithinthefirstcoupleofdaysuponyourarrivalyouwillbeshownwheretobuyChineseappliancesthatareratedfor220Vifyouneed.Anyappliancesweconsidertobedangeroustoourelectricalsystemwillbeconfiscated.

CHINESE VISA Allstudentsmustgetan“X1”or“X2”visafromChineseConsulatebeforeyouleaveAmerica.PleasebeawarethatthereareagentsintheUSthatcanhelpwiththeprocesssothatyoudon’thavetogototheembassy/consulatesonyourown.Non-internstudentscanapplyforadditional‘entries’onceyouarriveinChina(whichallowsyoutotravel

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internationallyduringthesemester).Uptotwoentriescanbeaddedfor1,000yuanperentry.Interns’visaswillbeconvertedtoSR2visasandcannotaddentries.

HOUSING

Youwillbelivingat“theJia,”Pepperdine'sfacilityinShanghai.Constructedin1937(thesameyearthatGeorgePepperdineCollegewasfounded),theJiaisinoneofthemosthistoricandconvenientlocationsinthecity.Almosthalfofthestudentroomsaredoubles;othersaretriplesandmultiplesdependingontheguy/girlratio.Havingindividualairconditioning/heatingunitsinside,allroomsarefurnishedwithbunkbeds,armoires,desks,andbookshelves.Studentssharesinksandbathrooms.Theprogramprovideslinens,whichincludebathtowels,sheets,blankets,pillowsandpillowcases.Roomingassignmentswillbedoneuponyourarrival.Youcannotrequestroommatesorrooms.Besidesthestudentroomsandafacultyapartment,thepropertyalsofeaturesaprivategardenandasunshineroom,andaccommodatestheprogramoffices,threeclassrooms,alibrary,astudentloungeandastudyroom.Aprogramkitchen,andfreelaundrymachinesarealsoavailableforstudentuse.

DINING Breakfast

7breakfasts/weekareprovidedinthesunshineroom.

Lunch

MoneyforlunchesMondaytoFridaywillbedigitallydisbursedtoyouraccount(50RMB/meal).

Dinner

GroupdinnerswillbeprovidedMondaythroughThursdayatdifferentlocalrestaurantsonarotatingbasis.Fridaydinneris“onyourown”–100RMB/mealwillbedigitallydisbursedtoyouraccount.

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MONEY/CASH 1.ShouldIbringUSD?

2.ShouldIexchangetoRMBbeforeIcome?

3.HowmuchshouldIbring?

4.HowdoIopenalocalbankaccount?

Youshouldhaveaccesstofundswhileyouarehere.WethinkitisbesttobringbothUSDandhaveaccesstofundsviaadebitcard.PullingoutmoneyfromtheATMismucheasierandfasterthanexchangingUSD(theratesarethesame),sowerecommendyouplantouseyourdebitcardandonlyexchangecashifnecessary.Ifyoubringcash,youwillprovidedasafeinyourbedroom.

Theprogramdoesnotmakerecommendationsonhowmuchtobringbecauseeverystudenthasdifferentspendinghabits.

YouMUSThaveadebit/ATMcard(foraccesstodigitialdisbursementfunds).Creditcardsareoptional,buthighlyrecommendedforemergencysituations.Itisrecommendedthatyoutellyourbankyouwillbeabroadsothattheydon’tsuspendyourcardduetosuspiciousactivity.YoudonotneedtoexchangetoRMBbeforeyoucome.

Makesureyourbankaccountislinkedwithyourdigitaldisbursementsothatyoucanreceiveyourmonthlystipends.IPwillemailyouinformationandalinktostarttheprocess.ItisrecommendedthatyoudothisBEFOREcomingtoShanghai.

Studentscannotopenalocalbankaccountwithoutaresidencepermit.

CELL PHONE SERVICE, INTERNET AND VPNS WehighlyrecommendeverystudentgetaChinesenumberduringyourstayinShanghai.IfyouhaveacontractwithaserviceproviderintheUS,calltoseeifyoucanunlockyourphonetouseadifferentSIMcard.We’llshowyouwhereandhowtogetaChineseSIMcardafteryourarrival.Moststudentswillpurchasealocalcellserviceplan,whichcanincludeminutesanddata.Wifi,whichallowsyoutousemessagingservices,isavailableatthehouseaswellassomecoffeeshops,restaurantsandhotels.IfyoudonotwishtounlockyouriPhone,youmaysimplyleaveyourphonein"AirplaneMode"oronlyusefreeWi-Fiwhenavailable.ButwestillhighlysuggestyougetacheapChinesesmartphonetogetconnectedwiththegroupthroughWeChat.InternetinShanghaiiswidelyavailablebutcanbeslowandunstableattimes.TheWifiattheJiaisdesignedtoaccommodatemanypeoplebutwillslowdownconsiderablyifmultiplepeoplearesimultaneouslydownloadingand/orstreamingcontent.Wifispeed

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andreliabilitycanbeasourceoffrustrationforpeopleinShanghai,sobepreparedandtrytobepatient!YouNEEDtogetaVPN(virtualprotocolnetwork)inordertoaccessmanyimportantsiteslikeGoogle,Pepperdineemail,whichhasbeenupgradedtoGmail,Facebook,Youtubeandmanyinternationalnewsmediasites.VPNsarerelativelyaffordableandthereareawiderangeofoptions.StudentsinthepasthaveusedAstrill,ExpressVPNandPandaPow,amongothers.SomeVPNshavebeenunreliableforstudents,sodon’tassumethatallVPNsarethesame.Also,thegovernmentoccasionallimitsVPNs,sotheyarenot100%reliableandyouwillneedtobeflexibleonceyougettoShanghai.

Skype:TheeasiestandbestwaytocalltheUSisviaSkype.Registerandlinkyouraccounttoacreditcardandyoucancallanyphonenumberatlocalrates(so,almostnothing).Skypealsoallowsyoutocalltoll-freenumbers,whichlong-distancecallingcardsdonotallow.ItishighlyrecommendedthatyousetupyourSkypeaccountpriortocoming.

Medical Coverage

NotethatPepperdineoffersemergencymedicalcoverageduringthestudents’timeabroad,howeverifastudentneedstoseeadoctorfornon-emergencyreasonsthenhe/shemustusehis/herowninsuranceorpayoutofpocket.An“emergency”isdefinedasanurgentmedicalneedthatcannotwaitforcoverage.Coldsarenotconsideredanemergency.

ShanghaihasexcellentinternationalhospitalswithEnglish-speakingstaffandWesterndoctors.CostsaresimilartomedicalservicesintheU.S.

Pleasecontactyourmedicalinsuranceprovidertoconfirmyouroverseascoverage.ManyinsurancecompanieswillrequirethatyoupayoutofpocketandthenseekreimbursementwhenyoureturntotheU.S.

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT Werelymuchonstudentleadersasanimportantpartofourprogramteam.Shanghaiprogramprovidesbothpaidpositionsandvolunteerpositions,whichinclude:PaidPositions:

• OfficeWorker• FoodManagers

MoreinformationabouteachroleandresponsibilitieswillbesharedbytheProgramDirectorduringthefirstorientationmeeting.Studentswhoareinterestedinthepaidpositionscansignupintheprogramofficeafterthemeeting.CandidateswillbeinterviewedbytheDirectoranddecisionswillbeannouncedshortlythereafter.Student

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WorkersarepaidthroughthecentralStudentEmploymentOfficeinMalibu,andmustsubmittheirhoursthroughPepperdine'sMyTimeKronossystem.

Ismyinternshippaid?

Legally,internsinChinacannotreceivecompensation.

SUGGESTED READINGS/MOVIES/RESOURCES

ItishighlyrecommendedthatyoustartyourjourneybeforeyouactuallyflytoShanghaibutlearningaboutthehistory,cultureandpeopleofChina.Hereareafewrecommendations:

Books:WildSwans–JungChang Thestoryofthreegenerationsintwentieth-centuryChinathatblendstheintimacyofmemoirandthepanoramicsweepofeyewitnesshistory.WildSwansisafirst-handdocumentationoftheimpactthatMaohadonChina.InChang’sbook,sheaccountsforthemembersofherfamilyandwhatsheandtheyhadtostrugglethroughjusttosurvive.ThisisagoodnarrativefromthefirstpersonaccountofwhatreallytookplaceduringMao’sCulturalRevolutionandhowitleftmuchofChinainshamblesandinneedofrepairs.

BraveDragons–JimYardley BraveDragonsissetinatimewhentheChinesebasketballteam,theShaanxiBraveDragonsareoneoftheworstteamsinallofChina.TheircoachpicksouttheformerNBAcoachBobWeisstocomecoachand“Americanize”theteam.Thoughthisideaseemedpromising,itturnedouttobealieandWeissmustgothroughtrialanderrortogetthisteamonitsfeetagain.ThisstoryisanaccuraterepresentationofhowChinawillonlychangewhenforcedtoorwhenitwantsto.

ThePrivateLifeofChairmanMao–LiZhi-Sui StraightfromthepersonalphysicianoftheChineseruler,Dr.LiZhi-SuiwasabletodocumentthemanytalksoverpoliticalandpersonalmattersthatChairmanMaowouldsharewithhim.Overthe22yearsfrom1954,upuntilMao’sdeath,theDoctorkeptcloserecordsoftheChairmanandhadthempublishedyearsaftertherulespassed.ThisbookgivesanaccuraterepresentationonhoweventherulesofChinaviewedhiscountryandwhatChinahadtogothroughtostartevolvingtowhereitisnow.

RiverTown–PeterHessler RiverTownisaverydeepstorywrittenfromthefirst-handaccountsofanEnglishPeaceCorpsVolunteer.ThestoryissetinthevillageofFulingthatsitsintheriverbasinoftheSichuanvalleyregionofWesternChina.HesslertellsofhowhetaughttheChinesechildrenofthevillageEnglishandliteraturebutwhilehetaughtthechildren,thechildrentaughtHesslerindeeperwaysthanhecouldhaveimagined.ThestudentswereabletogiveHessleranewfoundunderstandingthatcanonlybeachievedwhenimmersedinaforeignculturethatoflikeChina.HesslershowsusthetypeoflovethatChinareallyhasforitsexpatriatesandforeignvisitors.

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OracleBones–PeterHessler AnotherpureoriginalfromPeterHessler,thisbookpicksapartpeople’sviewsthatnothingeverchangesinChinaandthatitisastagnantnation.Hechangesthisviewbyaccuratelyshowinghowfromacenturyago,ChinahasexhibiteditsrealstrengthasanationandhowithasgrowntobecomeoneofthebiggestrivalstoourlargenationssuchastheUS.OracleBonestellsofthetransitionfromAncientwaystothenowModernwaysandhowChinahasevolvedmorethaniteverhas.

AgeofAmbition–EvanOsnos Fullofrevolt,rebellion,andupheaval...EvanOsnosdocumentshowtheChinesegovernmenthasfoughtovertheyearswiththeChinesepopulationonwhoreallyrulesthecountry.DoestheCommunistpartyruleordoestheIndividualrule?Thisisthequestionthatisreallyportrayedinthestoryanditstillrelatestotodaywherethecapitalistic/individualaspectisgaininggroundmorethaneverandChinaismovingawayfromitsveryRedrootstoanewfoundopennessthatofcharacterizedbyotherleadingnationsallovertheworld.

TheSoongDynasty–SterlingSeagrave TheSoongDynastydocumentsarunawayChinesefamilythatforyearswerekeptawaysafebytheAmericanMethodistChurch.LaterthefamilywouldreturntoChinainanepicwaytosellwesternBiblesinChinaandmakemillions.ThemembersoftheSoongfamilywouldendupmarryingkeyfiguresinChinesehistorysuchas;Ai-LingSoongwhomarriedoneofChina'srichestmen,H.H.Kung;Ching-lingSoong,whomarriedSunYat-sen,leaderofChina'srepublicanrevolution;andhowMay-lingSoongmarriedChiangKai-shek,theautocraticrulerofNationalistChinawhosetiestotheShanghaiunderworldwereenormous.Thisfamilymademillionsofdollarsandlivedoneofthemostprosperousandrichestlife’sinthe20thcenturyofChina,butwhiletheyatelikekings,theothermillionsofChinesecitizenswerestarvingandwithoutahome.

TheDistantLandofmyFather–BoCaldwell Fulloflove,Shanghai,distanceandpain,thisstorydocumentsfirst-handhowagirl,Anna,livesatthetimeofJapanesecontrolledpre-WorldWarIIShanghai.Herworld,fulloflovefromherwealthyparents,startsfallingapartwhenherandhermotherhavetoleaveherfathertofleeJapanese-controlledShanghaiforCalifornia.Herfather,nowacrossthePacificOceanisleftinhisownworldwherehebelievesallwillbefine,butlittledidheknow,hisworldwouldturnupsidewhileatthesametimefurtherwreckinghisownwifeanddaughter’sworld.ThisbookisagoodinsightintojusthowexoticShanghaiwasbackinthepre-WorldWarIIeraandhowyoucanstillseethatinfluenceinthecitytoday.

Movies:TheLastEmperor ThismovieaccountsthelifeofPuYi,thefinalemperorofChina.IttakesplacejustpriorofhisresignationfromthethroneandshortlyafterwhenheiscapturedbytheRedArmy.WhileinprisonhereflectsbackonhislavishchildhoodinandbehindthewallsoftheForbiddenCityinBeijing.HeremembersallthatwasgiventohimandhowhewasneveraffordedtheluxuryofseeingandexperiencingtherealmisfortunateworldthatwassetjustoutsidethewallsofthePalace.ThismovierelatestomoderndayChinahowmany

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Chinesemenandwomenaren’tallowedtoexperiencethepoorandwretchedoftheircountryandcanonlylivewithinthebordersoftherich.

EmpireoftheSun Setin1930’sShanghai,ayoungboyishitinthemixoftheJapanesearmyinvadinghiscity.PlayedbyChristianBale(hisfirstmovie),theboyisputintoaninternmentcampalongwithotherShanghainesebornmenandwomen,andalongwithforeignerssuchashimself.ThisisanothergoodmovietoseetheeffectsthattheJapanesehadonShanghaiandthepeoplehere.ThisalsoisanotherwaytoseehowdiverseculturewiseShanghaiwasduringthisperiodoftimeandhowthelasteffectsarestillseentoday!

SevenYearsinTibet Tibet,1940’s,thismovieisbaseduponatruestoryandnovelbaseduponanAustrianmountaineerwhotraveledtoLhasa,thecapitalofTibetandinturnbefriendedthe14thDaliLama.ThestoryshowsthroughHenrichHarrer(BradPitt),theeffectsofWorldWarIIandtheinvasionofTibetbyfirsthandexperiences.HarreriswelcomedintotheHolyCityofTibetbytheDaliLamahimselfwhoisstillayoungboy.TheDaliLama’srelationshipgrowswithHarrerwhenHarrerbecomesapersonaltutorandmentortotheyoungboyforseveralyears.ThebeginningoftheChineseinvasionofTibetisshownforawhileinthemoviebeforeHarrermustreturnhomeandawayfromtheviolence.ThismovieisapowerfulrepresentationofwhyTibetandChina’sgovernmentdonotgetalongandcooperatewell.

CrouchingTiger,HiddenDragon SetduringtheQingDynasty(1779),CrouchingTigerisfullofgreatChinesetraditionsandculture.FromthebeautifulscenerytotheimpressiverepresentationoftheQingDynastycultureatthetime,thismovieportrayslovemixedinwithmartialarts.Theplotofthemovie,twowarriorswhoaretaughtinthewaysofmartialartsandswordsmanship,huntdownathiefwhostoleaoncegreatsword(GreenDestiny).Whileontheirhunt,theycomeacrossayoungnobleman’sdaughterwhoisatthecrossroadsinherlife,ultimatelyjoiningthehuntandbecomingagreatwarrior.

Textbooks:StudentsareresponsibleforpurchasingtheirbooksbeforecomingtoShanghai.YoucaneitherbringbookswithyoufromtheStates.

WehavelimitedcopiesofusedbooksinShanghai.Pleasecheckthedetailsinthetextbooklistthatisprovidedtoyou.Werentouttheseusedtextbookstostudentsonafirstcome,firstservedbasis.PleasecontactourAcademicAssistantMs.MonaChen(Mona.Chen@pepperdine.edu)ifyou'dliketorentanyoftheusedtextbooks.

ChineseLanguagepodcasts:Chinesepod.com–Thisisanexcellenttoolforimprovingyourlisteningandreadingskills.Subscriptionsarenotcheap,butweviewthisasoneofthebestpodcast/appresourcesavailable.Pleco–Dictionaryappforyoursmartphone.Paytheextrathreedollarstogetthefullsuiteofoptionswithintheapp.ThisisanimportanttoolforuseinShanghai.