How I ended up choosing China to complete my masters degree? Let me tell you my story.
I first got this idea of studying in China from my cousin brother, he was here before. Things that fascinates me was the scholarship program and studying abroad of course. One other thing, an important one, is that I was confused about my future. I worked for a software company as a software developer for a year but still couldn't get confidence continuing the job. So, I thought doing post-graduation will give me some time to think about my future directions.
About the Chinese Government Scholarship
China Scholarship Council (CSC) entrusted by Ministry of Education of People's Republic of China is responsible for the enrollment and administration of Chinese Government Scholarship Program. One can apply for Scholarship through the Chinese Embassy in home country or you can send the documents directly to the University and the university will forward to CSC.
It was not very difficult for me to apply. What I did to apply can be summarized as below
I never thought about the drinking water system in China. One has to buy water to drink every time. You won't find free water anywhere, not even in restaurants, unlike Nepal. And you must be familiar using Chop-sticks, no one uses fork or spoon. Eating with bare hand, Nepali style, is taken as bad manner. One can eat in University canteen, but the payment can only be made using student card. Adjustment with the food was not very difficult, because the food was not very different from my country, unlike for the westerners and people from middle-east.
Sun is never just above the head in the mid-day, it's some 75 or 80 degrees from the south. And, during winter it goes by 25 degrees they said. Its cold even in the bright sunlight, because of the cold wind. Winter is just coming and it will start to snow. I was just looking outside my window and I got this, I can't see any mountains here. From where I come, I'm sure gonna miss the mountain views.
Studying in China is not bad as we think, it depends on you how you study then it doesn't matter whether it is Nepal, China, Australia, UK or US. I must say I can get more and better resources than that in Nepal.
I first got this idea of studying in China from my cousin brother, he was here before. Things that fascinates me was the scholarship program and studying abroad of course. One other thing, an important one, is that I was confused about my future. I worked for a software company as a software developer for a year but still couldn't get confidence continuing the job. So, I thought doing post-graduation will give me some time to think about my future directions.
About the Chinese Government Scholarship
China Scholarship Council (CSC) entrusted by Ministry of Education of People's Republic of China is responsible for the enrollment and administration of Chinese Government Scholarship Program. One can apply for Scholarship through the Chinese Embassy in home country or you can send the documents directly to the University and the university will forward to CSC.
It was not very difficult for me to apply. What I did to apply can be summarized as below
- Filled up the online scholarship form on CSC Online Application (check university website for the Agency Number)
- Visit CSC website. This website is very helpful to search the universities, programs and more information about the scholarship itself.
- Get the Foreigner Physical Examination Form filled up by a registered physician nearby hospital or clinic.
- Mail (Courier) the hard copy of the documents to the University.
The documents required for the application may vary according to the University applied but most are same for all, like
- Application Form for Chinese Government Scholarship
- Notarized copy of transcript
- Provisional Certificate
- Recommendation Letters
- Copy of Passport
- Foreigner Physical Examination Form and
- Study plan or Research plan
Application Documents required may vary, and can be checked in the respective university websites.
The application period for the Chinese Government Scholarship is between January-April, but the university may ask you to submit you documents earlier, in my case I have to submit my documents by the end of February. After applying, you just need to wait for the call. The result of the Scholarship application is published at the end of June. I received a mail from the university on 21st of June. 5 days later I received the Admission Letter and the Visa Application form.
It didn't take much time to get the Visa, costs only 2,350 NPR where Rs. 150 was the bank charge and it is only temporary, you have to get the Visa within 30 days of your arrival in China, which costs 800 RMB for 2 years term; which will be processed in the University after your registration. As soon as I had the Visa (temporary one), I booked an air ticket for 28th August; registration deadline in the University was 31st August. I paid for the tickets some 45 days before I fly, because it would be cheaper to buy the ticket earlier. You need to inform the authorities in the University about your arrival date and they will send someone to pick you up from the airport. But, if you apply through the Embassy, you will receive the air ticket too and you will be grouped with all the students going to study in China, and the plane will take you to Beijing first, from there you will be given a train ticket to your respective city.
One thing I missed was the "No Objection Letter" from Ministry of Education, Nepal. The lady on the check-in counter at Tribhuvan International Airport ask for the letter and I heard about it for the first time. I was shocked, but I got the permit anyway, although it took some time convincing them.
Life in China
As I left the home, I got this feeling that I am actually going abroad, new place, new people. One thing about China is that they do not speak English. About 8 hour long flight, in the economy class sucks my energy. The Harbin city is where I landed finally, it is very good city. Being the capital city of Heilongjiang Province, it is well developed and the streets are all clean. That was my first experience of China that I got on the way to University dormitory from airport, which was an hour long drive.
A Nepali guy was there to receive me at the airport, that was the feeling only the people in abroad know How it feels to meet a stranger of your country in foreign country and the stranger do not seem stranger anymore. He helped me a lot to settle down.
I never thought about the drinking water system in China. One has to buy water to drink every time. You won't find free water anywhere, not even in restaurants, unlike Nepal. And you must be familiar using Chop-sticks, no one uses fork or spoon. Eating with bare hand, Nepali style, is taken as bad manner. One can eat in University canteen, but the payment can only be made using student card. Adjustment with the food was not very difficult, because the food was not very different from my country, unlike for the westerners and people from middle-east.
Sun is never just above the head in the mid-day, it's some 75 or 80 degrees from the south. And, during winter it goes by 25 degrees they said. Its cold even in the bright sunlight, because of the cold wind. Winter is just coming and it will start to snow. I was just looking outside my window and I got this, I can't see any mountains here. From where I come, I'm sure gonna miss the mountain views.
Studying in China is not bad as we think, it depends on you how you study then it doesn't matter whether it is Nepal, China, Australia, UK or US. I must say I can get more and better resources than that in Nepal.
No comments:
Post a Comment