Welcome to The University of Nottingham Ningbo China A guide for new international students 2015/16.

Transcription

1 For general enquiries contact: International Office t: +86 (0) f: +86 (0) e: w: Recruitment and Admissions Office t: +86 (0) f: +86 (0) e: w: A guide for new international students 2015/16

2 Contents Welcome Section 1: Before you travel 4 Checklist 6 Your step-by-step guide 8 Section 2: Your arrival and first week 14 Checklist 16 Your step-by-step guide 18 Things you may want to do or need 22 help with soon after arrival Section 3: Your first year 26 On-campus support services 29 Living in Ningbo 38 Useful tips and information 42 Section 4: The essentials 44 Useful contacts 46 Campus map 48 Key dates 50 Your responsibilities 51 Many congratulations on gaining admission to The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) and starting a new chapter in your life. We look forward to your contribution to University life at UNNC and the insights and experiences you will bring to our diverse student community. This welcome guide aims to make your transition and arrival to UNNC as smooth as possible. Inside, we ll provide you with essential information about what you need to do prior to and during your arrival. You ll also find introductions to key services, information about the city of Ningbo and useful contacts. Please make sure to complete the checklists in the guide. We hope that using the welcome guide will enable you to settle in as quickly as possible and help you to find your way around Ningbo. From all staff at UNNC, we sincerely hope that you will enjoy your time here and in China. Front cover caption: Students working together in the library on campus. Undergraduate student studying at Aroma Cafe in the Administration Building. 2 3

3 Section 1: Before you travel Although you may still have a short while to go until you arrive at the University, there s plenty that you can be doing now to start your student experience. Getting as much as possible out of the way will help make your first few weeks at University hassle-free, giving you more time to explore, make new friends and get started with your studies. Section 1: Before you travel The Chinese Garden on campus is a great place to hang out between lectures. 4 5

4 Before you travel checklist Things to do 1. I have accepted my place and paid my deposit (full degree students only) 2. I have applied for my accommodation and paid my accommodation fee 3. I have bought my flights and returned my arrival information to the International Office, requesting an airport pick-up if required 4. I have paid all my first year fees Completed page 8 page 8 page 8 page 9 Section 1: Before you travel 5. I have arranged my compulsory medical insurance page I have applied for and received my visa for entry into China page I have my original, unconditional offer letter and original application documents page I have an original copy of my medical report, laboratory result and x-ray film (if applicable) page I have several photocopies of my passport and visa page page I have at least six passport-sized photos page I have Chinese currency, a credit card (and/or debit card with overseas access) and cash available for the journey and for the first four weeks page I have a supply and description of any prescribed medication I am taking page I have a list of important contact details page I have a prepaid phone card and/or a mobile phone with sufficient credit in case of an emergency page I know how I will get from the airport to the University (if not using the airport pick-up service) and I have a University contact number page I have signed up for Foursquare ( and visited page 13 There are lots of green areas on campus to catch up on your studies. 6 7

5 Your step-by-step guide Section 1: Before you travel This section will guide you through the checklist and everything you can do before you arrive at the University. Getting essential administrative tasks out of the way now will help to free up time for settling in and making friends when you arrive. You may login to our pre-departure online system and follow steps 1-4. If you have an unconditional offer you will receive an containing a username and password. For more detail, please visit 1. I have accepted my place and paid my deposit (full degree students only) Please return your acceptance slip to admissions@nottingham.edu.cn 2. I have applied for my accommodation and paid full fees University accommodation is guaranteed to all international students who apply before the deadline through online system. Your room won t be confirmed unless we received your full fee payment. Application dates Autumn semester: 1 May to 15 August 2015 Spring semester: 1 September to 31 December 2015 Accommodation options 1. Building 18 (9,600 RMB per year + 1,000 RMB deposit) 2. Building 11 (12,000 RMB per year + 1,000 RMB deposit) 3. Building 20 (5,800 RMB per year + 1,000 RMB deposit ) For more information about international residences, see page 30 or visit our accommodation website: 3. I have bought my flights and requested airport pick-up if required The University provides free airport pick-up services from both Ningbo Lishe International and Shanghai Pudong International Airports. For more information, please visit You should arrive on the designated arrival days outlined on the arrival form. If you are only able to arrive outside of these days, please note that your accommodation will only be available two or three days before the start date of the accommodation tenancy period (see page 29). Please bear in mind that induction and first week support only begins from the registration date. If you have any difficulties when you arrive at the airport or at the University, phone the following numbers and they will do their best to assist you. m: (Freya Song) m: (Patrick Ma) 4. I have paid all my first year fees All students must pay for tuition (not applicable to exchange students), accommodation, medical insurance, textbooks and a campus E-card. For detailed fee information, please refer to the Fee Information leaflet which was sent to you with your offer letter. You may also login to our online system ioms.nottingham.edu.cn to check the details. Your user name and password will be sent to the address you provided to us. When should I pay? Your full fee should be received by our finance office before 24 August Please note that your accommodation can only be secured once we receive your full payment. Once you have transfered money to the following account, please upload your bank receipts to our online system edu.cn and the Finance Office will confirm when they have received payment. It will usually take at least 10 working days if you pay by Telegraphic Transfer. Because of this, we strongly advise that you make payment as early as possible. Please do remember to bring a copy of the fee payment evidence with you when you travel to China. Payment methods 1. Telegraphic Transfer (TT) The University of Nottingham Ningbo China provides a University account for international students to pay fees into. This account can accept payments in any currency. We suggest that you make the payment in RMB if you are inside China. Please arrange payments into the account the following account: NAME: UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM NINGBO CHINA( 宁波诺丁汉大学 ) ACCOUNT: RECEIVING BANK: BANK OF CHINA NINGBO BRANCH( 中国银行宁波市分行 ) SWIFT CODE: BKCHCNBJ92A BANK ADDRESS: 139 YAOHANG STREET NINGBO CHINA( 中国宁波药行街 139 号 ) Please indicate your full name on the remittance for our identification, and bring your remittance receipt with you at registration. The University will not accept liability for any differences or charges arising from foreign currency payments. 2. Cash and bank card payments The University can accept payments in cash, but this is not recommended. There are ATMs available on campus and these will accept international bank cards, but there is a daily withdrawal limit of approximately 5,000 RMB. The University Finance Office cannot accept payment in person through international bank card. Only Bank of China debit cards can be used in the Finance Office. Therefore we advise you to use option 1. If you have any queries about payments, please contact the Finance Office: e: finance@nottingham.edu.cn t: +86 (0)

6 5. I have arranged my compulsory medical insurance As an international student you are required to buy medical insurance, provided by the insurance company Ping An, to cover your whole study period until you graduate or leave the University. The insurance covers disability, death, treatment for accidental injury and hospitalisation. The insurance is purchased from the University s Finance Office and costs 600 RMB for a year or 300 RMB for six months. One-year postgraduate students and final year pre-masters students are required to pay 900 RMB to cover their study period until graduation in November. It is a legal requirement, set by the Chinese Ministry of Education, for international students to buy this specific insurance package. You will not be exempt from purchasing it if you have independently arranged your own insurance. For further information about the insurance scheme, visit 6. I have applied for and received my visa for entry into China Visas and residence permits are important and necessary documents which allow you to legally complete your studies. Procedures for obtaining and extending these documents can be complicated. We have provided the following information to help you, but if you have any problems or questions please contact the International Office. t:+86 (0) / e: international@nottingham.edu.cn There are two types of student visa available X1 and X2. You can only apply for an X1 or X2 visa outside of Mainland China. For further information about visa applications, contact your local Chinese Embassy or Consulate: An approved Foreign Student Visa Application Form (JW202 Form) issued by the Chinese Ministry of Education Your acceptance letter from the University, both the original and one photocopy (the original will be checked and returned to you) A medical certificate, if required (please contact your local Chinese Embassy to check whether you need a medical certificate) X1 VISA (full-time and year-long exchange students) X1 visas are issued to students who intend to study in China for a period of more than 180 days. X1 visa holders must complete residential formalities in the local Administration of Public Security Bureau within 30 days of entry into China. Please see the residence permit section (page 19) for more about this process. X2 VISA (semester exchange students) X2 visas are issued to those who intend to study in China for a period of no more than 180 days. X2 visa holders will not be allowed to travel outside of China (including travel to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) and re-enter during their stay in China, as this is a single entry visa. If you will be studying in China for 180 days or fewer, and you also want to travel outside of China, please apply for a double entry visa. Residence permit It is not uncommon to hold a visa with validity shorter than your intended period of study. If this applies to you, please speak to the International Office when you arrive in Ningbo. They will guide you through the process of obtaining a residence permit. If you have not yet received your offer pack or visa information, please contact admissions@nottingham.edu.cn 7. I have my original, unconditional offer letter and original application documents Remember to bring your unconditional offer letter with you so that you can complete registration. If you haven t received your offer letter please contact admissions@nottingham.edu.cn If you applied by , please ensure you bring your original certificates and references. These will be requested at registration and you cannot register without them. 8. I have an original copy of my medical report, laboratory result and x-ray film (if you completed a medical check in your home country for your visa application and will be applying for a residence permit in China) The Public Security Bureau of China requires all foreign nationals seeking residency in China to provide or obtain a health certificate either before or after arrival. To obtain one, you will need to have a complete physical examination which shows you are in good health and free of any communicable diseases (including an HIV test, chest x-ray, ECG etc). The Physical Examination Record for Foreigners form is available from your local Chinese Embassy or Consulate, and you will need to take this form to your local public hospital or designated medical institution in order to conduct the medical. The medical result should be authenticated by the Chinese Embassy or Consulate. In order to be exempt from undergoing a full medical check again in China, you should bring all the original manuscripts, including your medical report, laboratory results and x-ray film, with you. You will still be required to travel to the hospital and purchase a health certificate, but it will be at a reduced fee. 9. I have several photocopies of my passport and visa page Upon arrival at the University there will be times when copies of your passport and visa will be required. It is also advisable to always carry a passport and visa copy with you, in case you are stopped by a police officer. 10. I have at least six passport-sized photos Passport-sized photos will be needed during registration/welcome programme. Please bring enough photos with you when you travel, as there is not a photo booth on campus or close by. You are advised to bring six photos, based on the following requirements: Three photos for medical check (not applicable to one-semester exchange students) Two photos for a residence permit application (not applicable to one-semester exchange students) One photo for other uses 11. I have Chinese currency, a credit card (and/or debit card with overseas access) and cash available for the journey and for the first three to four weeks We estimate that you will need around 3,000 RMB for the first three to four weeks. This amount includes the following items: Health check (if applicable): 535 RMB in cash Room key deposit: 200 RMB in cash (Building 11 only) Food: 1,500 RMB Transportation: 200 RMB Internet: 200 RMB per semester Welcome programme activities: RMB Other: 500 RMB Section 1: Before you travel Please be aware that the following documents will be required for your student visa application: Your current passport, with at least 12 months of validity and at least two blank visa pages One complete and signed Visa Application Form with one passport photo 10 11

7 There is an ATM (Bank of China) on the campus High Street and a number of ATMs in Ningbo which accept a range of foreign credit and debit cards. Remember, however, that overseas bank cards have a certain limit on the amount of cash that you are able to withdraw per day (please check with your bank for detailed information). We also recommend that you inform your bank before you depart that you will be travelling to China, so that they do not prevent the use of your bank cards in China. 12. I have a supply and description of any prescribed medication I am taking If you are taking prescribed medicine please make sure you have an adequate supply of this, as well as a description of your medication in case you need to order more. Prescription medication is available through the on-campus Health Clinic. 13. I have a list of important contact details Please make sure you keep the following contact details with you when travelling. If you are an exchange student, please also remember to bring the contact details of the International Office and school coordinator of your home institution. Emergency contacts Should you have problems when you arrive at the airport or University, please contact: m: (Freya Song) m: (Patrick Ma) Other useful contacts Accommodation Reception Building 11: +86 (0) Building 18: +86 (0) Building 20: +86 (0) International Office Administration Building 350 t:+86 (0) / f: +86 (0) e: international@nottingham.edu.cn Student Affairs Office Student Services Building 402 David Zhang/Cher Mu t: +86 (0) / e: david.zhang@nottingham.edu.cn e: cher.mu@nottingham.edu.cn A list of useful contacts can be found on page I have a prepaid phone card and/ or a mobile phone with sufficient credit in case of an emergency Before you travel, we advise that you have at least 30 USD prepaid credit on your mobile phone, in case you need to make an urgent phone call when you arrive. 15. I know how I will get from the airport to the University (if not using the airport pick-up service) and I have a University contact number From Ningbo Lishe International Airport, Ningbo train station or Ningbo bus station a taxi to the University is the most efficient way to reach campus. It takes about 30 minutes and costs RMB. Show the address below to the taxi driver: 您好, 请带我去宁波诺丁汉大学学生公寓, 谢谢! 地址 : 宁波市鄞州区高教园区泰康东路 199 号 Address: 199 Taikang East Road, University Park, Ningbo From Shanghai Pudong International Airport By coach On arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, you should transfer to Shanghai South Long-Distance Bus Station, which takes around one hour depending on traffic conditions. There are two ways to get there: Take a taxi (around 200 RMB) Take airport bus line number 7 (20 RMB) The airport bus line number 7 drops you right outside Shanghai South Long-Distance Bus Station. The ticket from Shanghai to Ningbo can be bought at the station and costs around 100 RMB. The trip takes two to three hours. Coaches are available every 30 to 50 minutes and between 7.20am and 8pm. By train On arrival at Shanghai Pudong International Airport you should transfer to Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station. This takes approximately one hour depending on traffic conditions. There are two ways to get there: Take a taxi (around 200 RMB) Take metro line number 2 (8 RMB) The train from Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station to Ningbo takes around two hours. 16. I have signed up for Foursquare ( and visited Foursquare is a social networking site which allows you to find venues in Ningbo and around the world. We have created our own University page. Whether it s sport, food, culture or nightlife that you want to find out about, we ve got it covered. You ll also find tips about what each venue is good for. Log into Foursquare via your mobile when you re out in Ningbo and use your current location to find the venues that we ve put in our lists. You can also see if the University or any of your friends have been to the place before, making your life that little bit easier. Sign up and throughout the year start to leave your own tips for your new friends! Section 1: Before you travel Students catching up in the library

8 Section 2: Your arrival and first week Arriving at university for the first time can be both exciting and daunting. Our aim is to make your first few days here as comfortable as possible so that you settle in quickly. This section tells you what to expect during the induction week and the essential things you need to do. Section 2: Your arrival and first week Shopping near the Drum Tower in Ningbo city

9 First week checklist Things to do 1. Register and collect your welcome pack 2. Find your accommodation 3. Set up your internet and mobile phone 4. Register with the local police 5. Apply for a residence permit (if applicable) 6. Attend a health check (if applicable) Completed page 18 page 18 page 19 page 19 page 19 page 19 Section 2: Your arrival and first week 7. Pay your fees if you haven t already done so page Attend all information sessions page Register for any activities you wish to take part in during the welcome programme page Register for the end of induction Global Gathering meal page Top up your electricity and water page Sign up for clubs and societies page I have signed up for Foursquare ( and visited page Complete your checklist and keep hold of your welcome pack and Ningbo City Guide page 20 Students relaxing on the campus High Street

10 Your step-by-step guide This section will guide you through the checklist and everything you will need to do once you arrive. 1. Register and collect your welcome pack When you arrive at the University you will either be taken to your accommodation (if you are travelling via airport pick-up) or you should head to Gate 3 and follow the signs to the registration desk. The registration desk is located in the Service Centre for Foreign Residence, which is on the south side of Building 15 near The Food Basket. You will need the following items in order to register: Your original unconditional offer letter Your original certificates and references, if you applied by you will not be able to register without your original certificates Your original passport Receipt of your tuition fee payment if you have not paid your tuition fees you will be told how to do this and this should be completed as soon as possible You should: collect your welcome pack sign the registration form Items in the welcome pack will include: a University card* a campus map a city map the Guidance for Freshmen leaflet an emergency contact card a Ningbo city guide a taxi book * The University card is only for non-nottingham students. If you are a University of Nottingham UK or Malaysia exchange student, please bring your own campus card to China. You will need to go to the LAC Finance Centre (near Building 11) to activate your card payment function and top up, and to the library to activate the e-door access and printing function. 2. Find your accommodation When you arrive at your accommodation you will need to: show your evidence of accommodation fee payment collect your keys, a checklist, a check-in form and, if you have a room in Building 11, you will be asked to pay a key deposit of 200 RMB go through the inventory checklist when you enter your room inspect your room, make sure it is in good condition and, if not, immediately report to the front desk read the terms, rules and regulations in the form and sign it submit the completed checklist and check-in form to the front desk read your welcome pack and have a look through the other welcome materials in your room If you have not yet completed registration, you should then register at the designated time indicated in your welcome pack. If you want to live off campus, you will need to notify the International Office. You can do this by filling in a form telling the University where you will be staying, and you will also need to provide contact details for your landlord. This information is required by the Public Security Bureau. 3. Set up your internet and mobile phone Internet In on-campus accommodation the internet is free for your first week. There is also free public Wi-Fi in the lobby of each residence building. After this you will need to purchase a package from the internet shop on the campus High Street. A setup guide in English is provided. Mobile phone Most companies offer pay-as-you-go plans, and they are fairly cheap. Top-up cards are widely available from China Unicom or China Mobile chain stores, as well as in convenience stores and grocery stores. It is also possible to purchase a local SIM card on the campus High Street, and you can choose to combine it with an internet package. 4. Register with the local police The Public Security Bureau requires all international students to register with the local police station within 24 hours of your arrival at the University. This will usually be done during your registration by presenting your original passport. If you come early or late, you need to go to International Office in Administration Building 350 to do this within 24 hours of your arrival. 5. Apply for a residence permit (If applicable) Students who hold an X1 study visa must register with the Entry-Exit Administration of the local Public Security Bureau within 30 days of entry into China. You will need to submit the required documents to the International Office. You will receive a fine of 500 RMB for every day that your application is late. It usually takes 20 working days for a residence permit to be processed. In order to apply you will need a number of documents. Please see our website for the full list: Once you submit your application, your passport will not be returned to you until the application is complete, which usually takes at least 20 working days. So, if you intend to travel during your application period, please discuss with International Office and try to obtain a formal travel receipt which can be used as replacement of your original passport. Application fee for your residence permit: 400 RMB for less than one year 800 RMB for one year to three years 1000 RMB for three to five years 6. Attend a health check (if applicable) All students who need to apply for a residence permit should complete a health check. If you have brought an approved original medical report, laboratory results and x-ray film with you then you will be exempt from certain parts of the check-up, but you will still need to go to the designated hospital to apply for an official certificate (at a lower cost). The date and time of the health check is noted in your welcome programme. The health check is not required for students from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau. On the day, please ensure you: do not eat breakfast you can drink water if needed bring three passport photos and a copy of your passport bring 535 RMB cash, your medical report, your laboratory results and your x-ray film if you completed a health check in your home country 7. Pay your fees if you haven t already done so If you have outstanding fees to be paid, please go to the Finance Office in Teaching Building 207 or finance@nottingham.edu.cn as soon as possible. Remember to get a receipt for your payments. Please see page 9 for more details about payment methods. 8. Attend the welcome meal and information session You will receive a welcome programme timetable shortly before you arrive. The welcome meal and information session are compulsory events, and they will give you an opportunity to meet new students, find out more information and register for events. Section 2: Your arrival and first week 18 19

11 9. Register for any activities you wish to take part in during the welcome programme During registration you will have the opportunity to sign up for activities such as film nights, bowling, quizzes and an end of induction dinner. 10. Register for the end of induction Global Gathering meal The final event during induction at UNNC is the Global Gathering meal. The event costs approximately 100 RMB including transport and is not to be missed! You can sign up during the welcome meal or by ing nottingham.edu.cn 11. Top up your electricity and water While water and electricity are not provided free of charge in your dormitory, they are reasonably priced. There will be a small amount of credit (50 RMB) available on your campus card when you move in, and this will last approximately five days. You will need to top up at the Student Finance Centre on the High Street, and they will deduct the initial pre-paid amount (50 RMB) from you. You can also check your balance at the centre. 12. Sign up for clubs and societies A great way to make friends and get involved in university life is to join clubs and societies run by the Students Union (see page 37). We have are over 100 clubs and societies covering everything from sports and languages to business and photography. All students will receive the Shining Pieces clubs and societies guide book and an open sign-up will take place on the High Street during the welcome programme. If you cannot make this session or miss the sign up, just ssc@nottingham.edu.cn with the name of the club or society you wish to join. 13. Use your city guide, sign up for Foursquare ( and visit uonchina You will find a new Ningbo City Guide for Students in your welcome pack. We ve compiled lists that cover venues and places we think are useful for you to know about, ranging from culture to sport and from food to nightlife. We ve also integrated these lists and venues with Foursquare. Foursquare is a social networking site which allows you to find venues in Ningbo and around the world. We have created our own University page which details our city guide lists. Whether it s sport, food, culture or nightlife that you want to find out about, we ve got it covered. In both the city guide and our Foursquare lists you ll find tips about what each venue is good for. Log into Foursqaure via your mobile when you re out in Ningbo and use your current location to find the venues that we ve put in our lists. You can also see if the University or any of your friends have been to the place before, making your life that little bit easier. Sign up and throughout the year start to leave your own tips for your new friends! 14. Complete your checklist and keep hold of your welcome pack and Ningbo City Guide In your welcome pack you will find a copy of all the items outlined above. Make sure to give them all a read and bring them with you when needed. Please complete the checklist as this will make your arrival a lot smoother. All of the items above will be of a great assistance to you during your initial weeks at the University and in Ningbo. Section 2: Your arrival and first week We have excellent on-campus sports facilities

12 Things you may want to do or need help with soon after arrival There are always lots of things you need to think about and do when moving to a new place, particularly when you ve just arrived. To make your first few days a little easier we ve answered some of the common questions that you may have. If you have any questions during your first week which you can t find an answer to, please welcomeweek@nottingham.edu.cn I want to buy some food/milk/juice The campus High Street has three grocery shops: one is located at the High Street crossroads, the second is the Student Common Room and the third is called The Food Basket. In all three you can buy things like bread, milk, juice, cereal, biscuits, crisps and other food and drink. There is also a large supermarket close to the campus at Sunday Plaza (five minutes walk from the campus). I want to buy toothpaste/shower gel /deodorant etc The large grocery store on the campus High Street sells toiletries and other household items. I want to get some non-chinese food There are a number of options for non-chinese food both on and off-campus. On campus Arabic Canteen Aroma Cafe The Food Basket Robin Hood Restaurant Yummy Coffee Please see page 33 for further details. Off campus Silverwalk/Ningbo Central Business District (CBD) About a five minute drive (or a 20 minute walk) from campus is Silverwalk. This newly developed area of Ningbo CBD houses Starbucks, Costa, Mövenpick ice cream and Sol Sports Bar and Restaurant. There are also a couple of Japanese restaurants, That s Thai, Mr Pho (Vietnamese) and a KFC and McDonald s to choose from. To get to Silverwalk, turn left out of Gate 1, 2 or 3 and continue straight ahead. When you reach the traffic lights continue straight ahead until you reach the skyscrapers. The second block of buildings house the majority of the restaurants and cafes. For taxi journeys, the address is: 5 Silver Walk, Ri Li Middle Road, Yinzhou ( 鄞州区日丽中路南部商务区水街 5 号楼 ). Sunday Plaza Sunday Plaza is about a five minute walk from campus. This small street houses some places that serve low cost, non-chinese food, such as: Aussie Pies: pies, pizza, salads KFC: fried chicken Korean: bibimbap, kimchi, bulgogi To get to Sunday Plaza, turn left out of Gate 1, 2 or 3 and continue to the traffic lights at the intersection of Taikang Dong and Qianhu Nan roads. At the lights turn right and continue down the road until you see KFC on your left-hand side. Behind this you will find a number of restaurants and small shops. Supermarkets Marks and Spencer Situated in Century Oriental Plaza shopping centre, Marks and Spencer stocks a small range of goods, for example jars of jam, marmalade, packets of pasta and tea as well as a reasonable range of wine. The downstairs section has women s and children s clothing and the second floor stocks a small range of men s clothing and shoes. Metro Located at 1 Mai De Long Road, Metro stocks a wide range of Western products as well as fresh fruit and vegetables and meat, and is one of the closest large supermarkets to campus. You need a membership card to buy things ask at the reception desk as you enter. San Jiang The closest supermarket to campus is San-Jiang, located five minutes walk from the campus in Sunday Plaza. The shop boasts cheap prices and a small range of fruit and vegetables. Tesco A Chinese supermarket on two floors at Tianyi Square (80 Rixin Street) with some Western products. Tesco also stocks a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables. Vanguard Located in the basement of InCity shopping centre, Vanguard has a good range of fruit, vegetables and meat, as well as homeware and clothes. The store does not stock as many imported products as other supermarkets. Walmart Located in Wanda Plaza shopping centre, Walmart has a good selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as a wide range of homeware. Please refer to your Ningbo City Guide for more information on what to do and where to go in Ningbo. I want to pray The following places of worship can be found in Ningbo: The Holy Church of Ningbo 115 Dongjiao Road t: +86 (0) 宁波市圣教堂 Muslim Mosque of Ningbo 宁波清真寺 18 Houying Lane, Yanyue Street t: +86 (0) Ningbo Jiangbei Church 宁波市江北堂 526 Zhongma Road t: +86 (0) Ningbo Jiangdong Catholic Church 督教圣教堂 577 Zhongshan Dong Road t: +86 (0) Protestant Church of Ningbo 63 Daliang Street t: +86 (0) 宁波江东基 宁波市百年堂 Yaohang Street Catholic Church 药行街天主堂 146 Yaohang Street t: +86 (0) This is the large church in Tianyi Square. English Mass takes place on Sundays at 10:30am. Daily Masses are conducted in Chinese. Getting around Please refer to page 39 for options of public transportation that you can use to get around the city. You will also find a Ningbo Taxi Book in your welcome pack. This taxi book will have the English and Chinese addresses of all the places in Ningbo. Show the address to the taxi driver and off you go. Section 2: Your arrival and first week 22 23

13 I want to see a doctor The University has its own Health Clinic on campus (near Building 11) with both doctors and nurses. This offers students a doorstep port of call for any illnesses they may incur. The clinic is able to make referrals to any of the larger hospitals in Ningbo should it be required. Dr Ashley Wang/Dr Nancy Lu t:+86 (0) m: e: medical.advisor@nottingham.edu.cn I want to have some clothes dry cleaned There is a dry cleaner on the University High Street, which will also do minor sewing alterations. I want to send a letter There is a small post office on the High Street. I want to take some photos or have some photos developed. There s a photo machine in the travel agency located on the campus High Street. Students shopping in The Food Basket, an international grocery store on the campus High Street. Section 2: Your arrival and first week Please see page 35 for more details regarding on-campus health care and a list of hospitals I want to get money out You will find ATM machines in the Teaching Building and at the far end of the High Street, near Gate 3. You can use them to withdraw money from Chinese and international bank accounts, and you can also deposit Chinese currency into your Bank of China card account. I ve had something stolen, what can I do? If you have had something stolen, report this immediately to the International Office or the Student Affairs Office. International Office t: +86 (0) / Student Affairs Office (on-duty) m: I need to get a taxi or bus Taxis regularly pick up and drop off students outside Gate 3. For details of local buses, please see page 40. I cannot understand the Chinese language spoken in the shops on the on-campus High Street Be aware that the shopkeepers on the High Street speak very little English. Most of the time there isn t a problem as prices are shown on calculators and menus are in both Chinese and English. However, if you need help with something and cannot find someone to help, please contact your International Student Officer (David Zhang), visit the International Office in Administration Building 250 or welcomeweek@nottingham.edu.cn Our student volunteers will also be happy to help, and if you are interested in learning some Chinese, join the free weekly lessons for new international students

14 Section 3: Your first year During your first week you ll begin to learn a lot about what the University has to offer. You ll also discover the range of support services and opportunities which are available to you year-round. This section provides you with essential information to help you make the most of your first year, be a responsible student and explore the extra opportunities available to you. Section 3: Your first year Students enjoying the weather outside our Centre for Sustainable Energy Technologies

15 The campus High Street is a great place to socialise. On-campus support services Section 3: Your first year Accommodation The University has several buildings designated for international students (Buildings 11, 18 and 20). All of the rooms are fully furnished and equipped with air conditioning and a telephone and computer point, which will enable you to make and receive telephone calls and access the University s data network from your bedroom. Check-in and check-out You are only allowed to check in two or three days earlier than the start date of the tenancy period shown above. If you wish to arrive in China earlier, you will need to find your own temporary accommodation in the city. If you wish to check out later than the tenancy end date, you will need to inform the Accommodation Office (near Building 11) at least one month before the end date of the tenancy in order to extend your contract. Tenancy dates Undergraduate and one year exchange students 31 August 2015 to 1 July 2016 Masters students 31 August 2015 to 20 August 2016 PhD students One year from the date you entered the University. Your accommodation fee includes: exclusive occupation of a single room and/or joint occupation of a shared common room for the duration of the fixed term use of all the facilities in your residence and use of shared facilities where these are indicated (see page 30) Your accommodation fee does not include: Fuel, water, internet access and the other following costs: Utilities There will already be a small amount of credit on your campus card for water and electricity, which will be enough for about five days. You can recharge your campus card at the Student Finance Centre on the campus High Street. Other costs Cold water 1.4 RMB per ton Hot water 25 RMB per ton Electricity 0.61 RMB per degree Internet (broadband) minimum fee 50 RMB per month (China Telecom) Purified drinking water 12 RMB (15 litre bottle) Room deposit (refundable) 1,000 RMB Key deposit (refundable) 200 RMB (Building 11 only) Laundry fee 5 RMB per time Water and electricity are shared by all in Buildings 18 and 20. Prices may be subject to change without prior notice. Electronic appliances available for rental Induction stove 25 RMB per month Rice cooker 25 RMB per month Mini fridge 25 RMB per month 28 29

16 Accommodation details and facilities International Residence Building 11 All of the rooms in Building 11 are fully furnished and equipped with air conditioning, a private shower and toilet room, and a small balcony. All rooms are for single occupancy. Students share a kitchen on each floor and a public laundry room for the whole building. Fees: 12,000 RMB per year/6,000 RMB per semester plus 1,000 RMB deposit. Accommodation type: Self-catered single room with private toilet and shower room. Floor area: 20.2m 2. Location: High Street (on campus). Distance to the main teaching building: Five minutes walk. Internet in room: Yes China Telecom (additional cost). Shared facilities: Launderette (coin operated washing and drying machines) Common room Bathroom facilities: Private shower room. International Residence Building 18 In Building 18 the accommodation is arranged into fully furnished four-room flats. Each flat has four private bedrooms, two toilets, one shower room, one washing room and a lounge/common room. The common room is equipped with a fridge, TV set and a few cooking appliances such as a kettle, an induction stove, a rice cooker and a toaster. Fees: 9,600 RMB per year/4,800 RMB per semester plus 1,000 RMB deposit. Accommodation type: Self-catered four-bedroom flat. Floor area: Total flat size: 74m 2 ; each room: 8.9m 2. Location: High Street (on campus) Distance to the main teaching building: Five minutes walk Internet in room: Yes China Telecom (additional cost) Shared facilities: Launderette (coin operated washing and drying machines) One lounge/common room shared between four students One washing room shared between four students Bed size: 1.1mx2m. Lounge/common room facilities: Furniture (1 set) TV (1) Rice cooker (1) Fridge (1) Bread machine (1) Trash can (1) Kettle (1) Room services: Twice a month, free of charge. International Residence Building 20 In Building 20 the accommodation is also arranged into fully furnished four-room flats. Each flat has four private bedrooms, two toilets, one shower room, one washing room and a lounge/ common room. Unlike in Building 18, there are no electronic and cooking appliances in the communal areas. Fees: 5,800 RMB per year/2,900 RMB per semester plus 1,000 RMB deposit. Accommodation type: Self-catered fourbedroom flat. Floor area: Total flat size: 74m 2 ; each room: 8.9m 2. Location: High Street (on campus). Distance to the main teaching building: Five minutes walk Bedroom facilities: Desk lamp (1) Hanger (5) Air conditioner (1) Trash can (1) Single bed (1) Mattress Pad (1) Quilt cover (1) Furniture (1 set) Sheet (1) Pillowcase (1) Quilt (1) Pillow (1) Clothes fork (1) Bed size: 1.1mx2m Lounge/common room facilities: Furniture (1 set) Electric kettle (1) Room services: Twice a month, free of charge. Support in the international halls of residence Hall tutors have a responsibility to be available for students who want to come and talk to them. They are the first point of contact if you have any issues. You can call the hall tutor on: m: Section 3: Your first year Toilet facilities: Private toilet. Cooking facilities: One shared kitchen on each floor (floors 2-7) with two large fridges, one microwave oven, one bread machine, one induction stove and one rice cooker. Bedroom facilities: Furniture (1 set) Clothes fork (1) Single bed (1) Hanger (5) Mattress (1) Bedding TV set (1) Desk lamp (1) Air conditioner (1) Electric kettle (1) Trash can (1) Curtain (1) Bed size: 1.1mx2m. Room services: Twice a month, free of charge. Bathroom facilities: One shower room per flat (shared between four students). Toilet facilities: Two toilets per flat (shared between four students). Cooking facilities: A few cooking appliances in the lounge/common room including one fridge, one bread maker, one induction stove, one rice cooker and one kettle. Bedroom facilities: Desk lamp (1) Hanger (5) Disposable slippers (1) Air conditioner (1) Single bed (1) Mattress pad (1) Quilt cover (1) Furniture (1 set) Sheet (1) Pillowcase (1) Quilt (1) Pillow (1) Internet in room: Yes China Telecom (additional cost). Shared facilities: Launderette (coin operated washing and drying machines) One lounge/common room shared between four students One washing room shared between four students Bathroom facilities: One shower room per flat (shared between four students). Toilet facilities: Two toilets per flat (shared between four students). Cooking facilities: No cooking facilities

17 Academic Services We hope you will enjoy your time as a student at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China and that you will do well in your studies here. It is important, however, to familiarise yourself with the practices and regulations of the University. When you register, you are entering a contract to obey the Ordinances and Regulations covering the payment of fees as well as those covering attendance, conduct and progress in studies. The Academic Support Unit The Academic Support Unit is managed and staffed through the Centre for English Language Education. It has two complementary centres: the Academic Support Clinic the Self Access Centre The Academic Support Clinic (ASC) offers an advisory service about different aspects of academic study, from discussing an assignment question to giving feedback on outlines and drafts. ASC also runs workshops to develop specific academic skills, including efficient reading, incorporating sources, critical thinking and analysis, giving effective presentations and dissertation writing. The Self Access Centre (SAC) contains a small but expanding library, an audio-visual suite and a study space for a small number of students. It provides an English language advisory service and series of language and study skills workshops. The SAC also has an expanding numbers of online language improvement and self-study resources. The support offered by the ASC and SAC is continually evolving and developing to meet students needs for English language, academic and lifelong learning skills. They can help you to achieve your academic potential and equip you with transferable skills that will give you a competitive edge in the employment market. See page 46 for contact details. Personal tutor system You will be assigned a personal tutor who will monitor your academic progress and welfare and with whom you can discuss any issues, whether they are of an academic or personal nature. The first scheduled meeting with your personal tutor will normally take place within the first few weeks of the autumn semester. It will give you the opportunity to find out more about the role of your tutor and how to contact him or her. You will also have the chance to find out more about how your school or department works. Study skills Studying in a British university may be very different from your experiences of studying in your previous school or college. The style of teaching, essay writing and marking may differ from what is common practice in your country. Outside of formal contact hours in the classroom, a large proportion of your study time will be self-directed, so you will have to get used to working on your own. The most important skill you will develop is critical analysis or learning how to think. With regard to your studies, do not feel that you have to understand everything you hear or read. Try to focus on what is the most important for your needs. Talking to your tutors and other students on your course will help you to understand which parts are essential to completing successful studies. Banking service The University s Finance Office will open an individual account with the Bank of China for you. The debit card can be used on campus and at all other bank ATM s displaying the Union-Pay symbol (see below). The daily maximum withdrawal limit from a Bank of China ATM is 20,000 RMB. Other banks ATM withdrawal limits may differ. Once you get your debit card, you should go to an ATM or any Bank of China branch to change the PIN number for the card. The Bank of China has many branches in the city. We recommend the main branch on Yao Hang Street near Tianyi Square, as it offers all banking services. It can be reached in half an hour on bus number 363. The nearest Bank of China branch is in Sunday Plaza, 5 minutes walk from the campus. You can use the ATM on campus for daily use. Remember: Keep your bank book and passport separately. If you lose your bankbook or debit card, please report to the bank immediately. Keep your PIN number safe. Do not put the pin and the debit card together. Do not put your debit card with your other bank cards, mobile phone, metal objects etc in order to avoid demagnetising it. What should I do if I lose my card? If you lose your card on a weekday please report this to the Finance Office in Teaching Building 207 as soon as possible. If you lose your card at the weekend when the University is closed, you should go to the Bank of China Tianyi Square Branch with your passport to report the loss and cancel the card. It is possible to call the service line on to report the loss; however, the loss report is only valid for five days and you must go to the bank to officially report the loss within than time. When you report the loss, you can apply for a new debit card. You ll be able to collect this after a seven-day waiting period. What should I do if I leave my card in the ATM on campus? If you leave your card in an on-campus ATM, please report this to the Finance Office immediately. You will be asked to fill in a form to leave your personal information and the Finance Office will inform you when you can collect the card. Catering University canteens There are three student canteens on campus which provide Chinese and Arabic food. Canteen 3 serves Halal food. Opening hours Breakfast: 6.30am-8.30am Lunch: 11.30am-1.30pm Dinner: 4.30pm-6pm Aroma Located on the ground floor of the Administration Building, Aroma serves sandwiches, rolls, pasties and sausage rolls, amongst a range of beverages. The Food Basket The Food Basket is an international grocery store situated next door to the bike shop on the campus High Street. The store is open from 11am-9pm every day. You can buy many of your favourite Western foods, including cheese, chocolate, dairy products, cereals, sauce mixes and beer. Section 3: Your first year 32 33

18 InCity shopping centre is a favourite among students. Robin Hood Restaurant The Robin Hood Restaurant offers both Chinese and Western food and is located in the lobby of the Staff Hotel. It is open from 11am-10pm. Yummy Coffee Yummy Coffee is located on campus and offers Chinese food and a limited range of Western dishes. Counselling service Offers a free confidential counselling service, run by professionally qualified counsellors, for a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, family concerns and relationship issues. The clinic is able to make referrals to any of the larger hospitals in Ningbo should it be required. Dr Ashley Wang/Dr Nancy Lu t: +86 (0) m: e: medical.advisor@nottingham.edu.cn There are many hospitals in Ningbo that you can visit if you have a more serious health concern: Ningbo No.1 Hospital 宁波市第一医院柳汀街 59 号 59 Liuting Street t: +86 (0) Section 3: Your first year Administration Building t: +86 (0) (English only) t: +86 (0) (English and Chinese) e: universitycounsellingservice@nottingham. edu.cn Opening hours: 9am-12.30pm and 2pm-5pm, Monday-Friday Disability support The University offers disability support to any students who require this service. Jean Wu, Student Services Building 402 t: +86 (0) e: jean.wu@nottingham.edu.cn Office hours: 8.30am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday Health Drinking water The tap water on campus is generally fine for brushing your teeth, although you shouldn t drink it without boiling it. There are concerns in China about the presence of heavy metals in tap water, and the accumulative effect of these on health, so many people prefer to buy bottled water and use this for all drinking and cooking. The Drinking Water Store on the High Street sells water dispensers. Doctors and hospitals The University has its own Health Clinic on campus (near Building 11) with both doctors and nurses. This offers students a doorstep port of call for any illnesses they may incur. The hospital s International Health Care Centre caters for expats and has English-speaking doctors. It offers a variety of inpatient and outpatient treatments. Yinzhou No.2 Hospital 鄞州第二医院鄞州区前河路 1 号 1 Qianhe Road t: +86 (0) This hospital is a comprehensive and modern facility that has inpatient and outpatient services as well as an emergency department. This is the top-rated hospital in Zhejiang province. For more complex treatment, many people prefer to travel to Shanghai where there are generally more English-speaking staff employed. Parkway Health 24-hour helpline line: +86 (0) United Family hospitals 24-hour emergency line: +86 (0) Don t forget to take money (or a cash card) with you to hospital, as you will have to pay up front for all treatment. Keep all the receipts to claim back costs on your health insurance. Make sure you familiarise yourself with your policy and contact the insurance provider as soon as possible to discuss your claim

19 High Street The University High Street is conveniently located close to the student accommodation. It s home to a number of shops, cafes and essential services, such as an optician and a post office, as well as a gift shop, hair salon, travel agents and mobile phone store. International Office and International Student Officer International Office The International Office can provide advice on a range of topics for international students, including student visas and residence permits, the airport pick up service, your accommodation options and student welfare. They also organise the welcome programme and manage overseas student exchange and study abroad programmes. Administration Building 350 t: +86 (0) / f: +86 (0) e: international@nottingham.edu.cn Office hours: 8.30am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday International Student Officer David Zhang/Cher Mu Student Services Building 402 t: +86 (0) / e: david.zhang@nottingham.edu.cn e: cher.mu@nottingham.edu.cn Office hours: 8.30am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday Library and IT services Library The Li Yip Yio Chin Library is located in the west of the Administration Building. It is responsible for managing information resources for learning, teaching and research, and providing support for their use. The core collection is made up of materials which aim to cover the needs of the taught courses offered by the University. The library is proactive in developing a wide spectrum of electronic resources and in promoting and guiding the use of information resources, including the provision of subject based reference enquiry services, internet subject gateway services and subject focused academic support services. Term-time opening hours 8.30am-10pm, Monday-Thursday 8.30am-9pm, Friday-Sunday Find out more about the library: Computer rooms There are Information Services (IS) computer rooms and areas located in libraries and other buildings, through which you can access IT facilities. These are open to all members of the University and the computer rooms also contain printing facilities. They are connected to the University s network and many are open from 8am-10pm every day. Find out more information about the IS computer rooms/areas and facilities at University Portal The Portal provides online access to a range of key electronic and academic resources. When you log on to the Portal website you will have a personalised view of information about your course and school, as well as library and IT information. The Portal is accessible via the University homepage. Sports facilities The campus houses a whole range of both indoor and outdoor sports facilities. Sport is a great way to make friends and stay fit and there are opportunities to join teams or just exercise and play for fun. Sports facilities are free to use with the exception of the gym. Gym membership costs 50 RMB for a semester or 100 RMB for a year. To sign-up for the gym you must pay the fee at the Finance Office in Teaching Building 207, then take your receipt and one passport-sized photo to Room 207 in the Sports Centre, where a staff member will be able to provide you with a gym card. Outdoor facilities on campus include: an athletics field badminton courts basketball courts a grass football pitch synthetic tennis courts volleyball courts a 400-metre running track Indoor facilities include: badminton courts a basketball court rooms for gymnastics rooms for taekwondo and wushu a sports theory classroom squash courts table tennis a volleyball court Each year The University of Nottingham runs its very own Tri Campus Games. Students have the opportunity to be selected for a University of Nottingham Ningbo China team and compete against fellow students at the UK and Malaysia Campuses. The competition is held on rotation across the three campuses. Students Union The Students Union was established in 2004 and is a democratic, student-led body. All students who study at the University automatically become members of the Students Union, and membership is free. The Students Union aims to represent the needs of all students, offering advice, support and essential services, as well as opportunities to get involved in sports and activities. The Students Union Council is the governing body of the Students Union. As well as the President and Vice-President, it includes seven functional departments: the Secretariat, the Society Association Department, the Liaison Department, the Publicity Department, the Learning Department, the Literature and Arts Department and the Sports Department. There are over 100 clubs and societies to choose from, all of which are run by students. They cover a wide range of interests including culture, technology and sports. To find out more about the clubs and societies available, visit the sign-up session during the welcome programme. Alternatively, you can get in touch with the Student Society Centre: SSC@nottingham.edu.cn Vis-à-Vis The Vis-à-Vis programme is run alongside the welcome programme and continues throughout the year, with monthly events for first year students. The programme aims to help you adapt to your new environment and to communicate with peers from different backgrounds. The programme is set up as a buddy system, with new students matched with continuing students, and is a social and supportive network that is run by students, for students. Section 3: Your first year There are several swimming pools close by. Yinzhou Swimming Centre (199 Wenhua Road) is within walking distance of the campus and has both indoor and outdoor pools. A swim session costs 30 RMB, less if you buy a membership card. It also houses indoor and outdoor tennis courts. The Ningbo Swimming and Fitness Centre (128 Zhaohui Road) is further from campus, and has one indoor and one outdoor Olympic-sized pool

20 Living in Ningbo Ningbo offers you the chance to experience life in a fast-changing Chinese city, to meet local people and to have a go at learning Mandarin. Small by Chinese standards, it has a comparatively low cost of living while still offering an ever-increasing array of international shopping outlets, restaurants, clubs and bars. For more information on things to do in the city check out the Ningbo City Guide in your welcome pack. Cost of living Below is an approximate guide to some of the living costs you may incur in Ningbo as an international student. Typical daily living expenses McDonald s Combo meal 30 RMB Movie tickets RMB Take-away pizza 50 RMB Milk, 1 litre 10 RMB Can of Coca Cola RMB Coffee, cappuccino or latte RMB Meals on campus (per person) 3-20 RMB Meal at food court (per person) RMB Meal at restaurant (per person) RMB Local calls made from a public telephone 0.3 RMB (per minute) Typical fees, bills and utilities Accommodation fee (per year) 5,800/9,600/12,000 RMB Facilities deposit 1,000 RMB, refundable Book fee (per year) 2,500 RMB Campus E-cards* 200 RMB Insurance (per year) 600 RMB Dormitory gate access card deposit (cash only) 200 RMB, refundable Health check fee (cash only) 535 RMB Residence permit fee (cash only) (less than one year/one-three years/three-five years) 400/800/1,000 RMB Food (per month) 800-1,500 RMB Entertainment (per month) 800-1,000 RMB Electricity, water, telephone services and public transport (per month) RMB * The Campus E-card is only for non-nottingham students. If you are a University of Nottingham UK or Malaysia exchange student, please bring your own campus card to China. You will need to go to the LAC Finance Centre (near Building 11) to activate your card payment function and top up, and to the library to activate the e-door access and printing function. Getting around Ningbo s excellent transport links mean it is easy to explore and an ideal base from which to visit China and Asia. Taxis Taxis are a popular, and affordable, way to get around the city show the driver an address in Chinese and in most cases they ll get you there. Taxis are easy to flag down; you should gesture in an up/down motion with the palm of your hand facing flat to the ground. They will display a green light in the windscreen if they are available for hire, but you should try and avoid taking a taxi between 4pm and 6pm, as this is the shift changeover period. All taxis are metered and will display the fare, which starts at 12 RMB. Make sure you add two RMB to the final fare to cover the fuel supplement charge eg if the meter displays 15 RMB you will pay 17 RMB (although this fuel supplement is subject to change from time to time). To get to the campus, learn the phrase Nuòdīnghàn Dàxué. The majority of taxi drivers know the campus. Metro Ningbo has one metro line (Line 1) that runs west to east through Tianyi Square in the city centre. A second line is due to open soon that will travel out to the airport. E-bikes You could buy an electric bike or e-bike for travelling short distances around the city. These can be bought at most major supermarkets or at the large market on Baizhang Road. A goodquality new bike will cost around 2,500 RMB. Private cars Private cars can be booked through the Staff Hotel reception and can be arranged for both short and long distance trips. Cars Most foreign nationals need to obtain a Chinese driving license to drive or hire a car; in Ningbo, this means sitting a written examination. If you would like to apply for a driving license, please speak to the International Office. Long-distance coaches Bus stations can be a bit hectic, especially if you ve got a lot of luggage. Coaches in China are reliable and punctual, and you can travel to many destinations around the country for reasonable prices. There are many bus stations in Ningbo, but the most convenient one for the campus is Ningbo South Bus Station. There are regular coaches to Hangzhou and Shanghai from this station, as well as to many other places. All tickets are one way, with automatic seat allocation, and there s no need to book in advance unless you re travelling during a peak time, such as the Spring Festival. Plane journeys Ningbo Lishe International Airport (NGB) is located southwest of Ningbo city and is about 12km away from the city centre. The airport has domestic services to a number of major cities on the Chinese mainland, as well as flights to Hong Kong, Taiwan and other international destinations. The airport is a 20 minute taxi journey from the Staff Hotel, which costs less than 50 RMB. The airport is fairly small, with a limited number of shops and a few restaurants. There is an ATM in the domestic departures hall. Trains Train travel is China is a great way to see the country and trains tend to be clean and comfortable. High-speed lines from Ningbo make it possible to reach Shanghai in less than two hours and Hangzhou in less than one hour. High speed train service numbers usually start with D or G. Tickets can be bought up to 60 days in advance and it is usually only possible to buy single, rather than return, journeys. Tickets can be bought at the station or ordered via the Staff Hotel reception or the Travel Agency on the High Street, where they can also help you with the timetable. There is a small surcharge on tickets bought on campus, but it can be more convenient than going to the station to buy them. Useful information about train services is available at Section 3: Your first year 38 39

21 Local buses Below is a list of some of the buses that you might need in your first few weeks in Ningbo. All of the stops are within walking distance of the campus. Bus journeys cost 2 RMB, but remember to have the exact fare as no change is given. Drop the coins into the box as you board the bus. Service number East route 东环线 166 West route 西环线 Stop to get on at Turn left out of Gate 1. The bus stop is on the same side of road Turn right out of Gate 1 and cross the road. The bus stop is just before the small bus station. Turn right out of Gate1. The bus stop is on same side of road as the University Where it goes Tianyi Square, Wanda Plaza, Yinzhou No. 2 Hospital Ningbo South train/bus station, Ningbo Passenger Transportation Centre Wanda Plaza, Central Oriental Plaza Incity, Decathlon Wanda Plaza, Kaiming Street Wanda Plaza Wanda Plaza, Central Business District, Ningbo Museum Ningbo Museum, Yinzhou Park, Central Business District Incity, Metro, Tianfeng Tower Wanda Plaza, Tianfeng Tower Incity, Metro Notes Quite frequent. Becomes the 206 after 6pm. For Tianyi Square keep a look out for the large Catholic Church on Yaohang Street and get off there Quite frequent This is a slow service, which begins and ends at the Central Business District. Better to take 166 (west route) to CBD (see below) and others to Wanda A much faster option to the Central Business District Infrequent. Also has a stop near Gate 3 Weather and climate Ningbo has a subtropical climate, with an average temperature across the year of 16.4 C. In reality this means chilly winters (December-March), with temperatures dropping to around zero, and very hot summers (July-August), when temperatures can reach 40 C. In both situations, high humidity can make the temperatures feel more extreme. The rainy season occurs during May and June and typhoons can occur in August and September. Spring (April-June) and autumn (September- November) are considered the most pleasant times of year in the city. Laws and regulations The Chinese government strictly enforces its laws and regulations. Foreign students who break the law are subject to punishment or imprisonment in China, or deportation, depending on the infraction. In most cases, embassies are powerless to help the student in trouble other than by notifying the family and acting as a consultant. Examples of offences include not having a valid visa or residency permit, which will result in a fine, or causing a traffic accident, which results in large fines and possibly imprisonment, depending on the circumstances. If an activity results in breaking the law in your home country it is also likely to be an infraction in China. If you have a Chinese background and enter China using only a Chinese ID card, you will be treated as a Chinese citizen if you break the law. Foreign embassies will have no jurisdiction in your case, even if you have citizenship in another country. If you have any questions about specific regulations, please discuss these with the International Office, who will consult with the local government office. Further information about Chinese laws and regulations: Constitution node_2825.htm Law of the People s Republic of China on Control of the Entry and Exit of Aliens LawsRegulations/201303/t _ htm Law of the People s Republic of China on Road Traffic Safety content_ htm Law of the People s Republic of China on Administrative Penalty content_ htm Law of the People s Republic of China on Penalties for Administration of Public Security content_ htm Anti-Drug Law of the People s Republic of China content_ htm Section 3: Your first year 40 41

22 Useful tips and information ATMs In addition to being careful when taking money out of your account, remember to take you card out of the machine. It may sound obvious, but in China the machine will dispense your money and you must then press a button to return your card. This is different to how ATMs operate in countries such as the UK, where you will receive your card before you take your money. It s easy to forget your card! Be safe Ningbo is a safe city with low crime levels. Although there is not a high level of theft, it is the most common crime and occurs most frequently in crowded public areas. You are advised to take extra care with your passport and money. Where possible, you should not carry your passport or large sums of cash. Your student ID should be sufficient for identification and verification of your student status both on campus and anywhere in Ningbo. The University does everything possible to make the campus a safe place. There are 24-hour security guards stationed at each campus gate and at various locations on campus, so you should feel safe and comfortable. Safety tips Lock your doors and windows before you go out and when you are in your room at night. Never leave your bag, wallet or purse unattended. Don t show off your cash, mobile phone or laptop or leave them lying around. Take care when using cash machines late at night. Don t walk away from an ATM with your cash in full view. Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times do not listen to personal stereos or walk while sending text messages or talking on your mobile phone. Never keep your PIN number with your cash card. If your credit or cash cards are stolen, inform the card provider immediately or contact the International Office or Student Affairs Office on duty number for help: Do not wait until you get home. What to do in an emergency In case of an emergency or any other disturbance, call the police and also report it to the Student Affairs Office in Student Services Building 402 where staff will help you. Emergency contact phone numbers (no English service): Police: 110 Fire: 119 Traffic Accident: 122 Ambulance: 120 If the emergency is not urgent enough to call 110, and it takes place on campus, you can call any of the following: Security Department: +86 (0) / Building 11: +86 (0) Building 18: +86 (0) Building 20: +86 (0) Campus Clinic: +86 (0) Staff Hotel: +86 (0) Road safety Walking and cycling the streets of Ningbo is a good way to get to know the city better. However, you should be careful when crossing the road. There are pedestrian crossings, but most drivers ignore them. The road system also often operates a green light for turning right, when you may assume it is red, as it will be for cars going straight ahead. Keep your wits about you and concentrate when crossing roads. Currency/counterfeit notes The currency in China is Chinese Yuan. You may also see this referred to as RMB or Kuai. Counterfeit notes have been known to pop up around Ningbo, so pay extra attention to any money you receive. These counterfeit notes look and feel slightly different, and 50 and 100 RMB notes are more likely to be affected. Tap water Tap water in China is not suitable for drinking. You will need to either boil the tap water or go to the Drinking Water Store on campus to buy water dispenser refills. Alternatively, small bottles of water cost around 1-2 RMB. Public holidays New Year s Day (1 January) New Year s Day is a grand occasion for Chinese people and they celebrate the New Year in the same way as people all over the world. Since ancient times, the day has been called Yuandan by the Chinese. Yuan means at the beginning, Dan means day, so joined together the words mean first day of a year. For 3,000 years, China has greeted Yuandan with joyous ceremonies. Spring Festival Held on the first day of the first lunar month and lasting for two weeks, the spring festival is regarded by the Chinese people as the grandest and most important annual festival, similar in many ways to Christmas in predominantly Christian countries. The event celebrates family reunion and is full of rich and colourful activities. Qingming Festival (4 or 5 April) The English for Qingming Festival is Pure Brightness or Tomb-Sweeping Day, so this festival serves as both a solar term and a traditional Chinese festival. It falls on 4 or 5 April every year and signifies the fact that the days are becoming warm and bright. In China it is customary for people to sweep tombs and graves on this day in memory of the departed. International Labour Day (1 May) International Labour Day celebrates working people worldwide and was established on 1 May In China many assemblies and celebrations are held in parks, theatres and plazas, while there are special televised entertainment programmes in the evening. Dragon Boat Festival The Dragon Boat Festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth Chinese lunar month. There are many beautiful stories about the origin of this festival, although the most popular one is the legend of Qu Yuan, who was a patriotic poet living in the Warring States period (476 BC-221 BC). On this day, Chinese people like to eat zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and race dragon boats. Mid-Autumn Festival Falling on the 15th day of the 8th Chinese lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival means family reunion to Chinese people and is one of the most important traditional festivals. There are many great legends about the origin of this festival. Admiring the full moon and eating moon cakes are some of the traditional activities that take place on this day. National Day (1 October) The Chinese celebrate 1 October as National Day in honour of the founding of the People s Republic of China on 1 October Please see page 50 for a full list of national public holidays. Section 3: Your first year

23 Section 4: The essentials In this section you will find semester dates and contact details for useful services. These will be helpful throughout the year, so once your first week is over, why not keep this guide on your shelf for future reference? Section 4: The essentials Students take part in a tutorial in the Art Studio

24 Useful contacts Key services Academic Services Office Provides academic support for teaching staff and students. It is responsible for central timetabling and room booking, examination administration and student registry. Administration Building 240 Opening hours: 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday e: Academic Support Unit Provided through the Academic Support Clinic and Self-Access Centre: Academic Support Clinic Student Services Building 118 Opening hours: 10am-12pm, Monday to Friday, and 2pm-4pm, Tuesday and Thursday e: Self-Access Centre Administration Building 105 e: Admissions Office Administration Building Opening hours: 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday t: +86 (0) / e: Career Development Office Promotes student employability, provides access to work experience and helps students move on to the next stage of their career after graduation. Administration Building 207 Opening hours: 8.30am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday, t: +86 (0) e: Disability Support Student Services Building 402 Opening hours: 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday t: +86 (0) e: Finance Office Helps with questions about tuition fee payments, bank accounts and transfers, international students insurance, refunds, receipts and any other payment-related matters. Teaching Building 207 Opening hours: 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday t: +86 (0) e: Information Services t: +86 (0) e: International halls of residence support Hall tutors are the first point of contact if you have any issues. You can call the hall tutor on: m: International Office Information on student visas, residence permit, airport pick-up, your welcome pack, accommodation application, student welfare and the management of overseas student exchange and study abroad programme. Administration Building 350 Opening hours: 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday t: +86 (0) / e: Library services t: +86 (0) e: Student Affairs Office Provides advice and support for non-academic issues, including new student registration, student ID cards and accommodation. Student Services Building 402 Opening hours: 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday t: +86 (0) e: Student Finance Centre Offres top-up services for cold and hot water supplies, electricity and your campus card. You can check your water and electricity balance here. High Street Opening hours: 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday 10am-3pm, Saturday and Sunday Teaching and Learning Enhancement Office Receives enquiries from students regarding academic appeals, progression and matters relating to academic misconduct. Adminstration Building t: +86 (0) e: University Counselling Service Offers a free confidential counselling service, run by professionally qualified counsellors, for a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, family concerns and relationship issues. Administration Building Opening hours: 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday t: +86 (0) (English only) t: +86 (0) (English and Chinese) e: universitycounsellingservice@nottingham. edu.cn Welcome programme Use this address to ask for answers to anything you can t find a solution to during your welcome programme: e: welcomeweek@nottingham.edu.cn Faculty contacts Arts and Humanities (including English Studies and International Communications Studies) Administration Building 239 e: FOAH@nottingham.edu.cn Science and Engineering (including Computer Science, Engineering and Sustainable Development) Science and Engineering Building 416 e: FOSE@nottingham.edu.cn Social Sciences (including Nottingham University Business School China, Economics and International Studies) Administration Building 348 e: FOSS@nottingham.edu.cn Other contacts Dormitory furniture repairs Janitor s Room/Dormitory Management Affairs Office High Street t: +86 (0) Light Current Office The Light Current Office is located on the first floor of the Postgraduate Dormitory Building (north side). It provides support for problems related to the University s internet network and fixed line phone system. t: +86 (0) Lost and Found Service Student Affairs Office Administration Building 139 Opening hours: 9am-12pm and 1.30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday t: +86 (0) e: zbrzlostfound@nottingham.edu.cn Security problems/fire alarm t: +86 (0) Section 4: The essentials 46 47

25 Campus map Section 4: The essentials 48 49