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| FAQs Please be aware that it is highly suggested that you purchase your own Shanghai guidebook (i.e. Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, Frommers, etc.) as this document is not meant to be an all inclusive list of information for living and experiencing Shanghai.
1. What are services you will be provided for this program?
Accommodation (hotel)
Lesson and lecture fees
Books & materials
Excursion expenses
Internship arrangement & administrative fee
FESCO ITC administrative fee (visa acquisition)
Transportation fee
2. What are some out of pocket expenses to expect?
Food
City transportation (i.e. taxi, subway/bus, etc.)
Gifts
Personal travel
*Housing before or beyond specific program start and end dates 3. What is the type of visa I need? How do I get it? A business visa (F Visa) is needed to work, to do business and short-term advanced studies or internship for a period of no more than six months. This is not the same as a vistors visa you need to enter China as it requires more documentation (i.e official invitation letter from a Chinese host or company). We take care of this as part of the program fee. 4. What should I bring?
This is some common sense here – treat it like you would any other trip for a stay in another country. So you’ll need to think about clothes, money, visas, passports, etc., and any other special things that you would take on a trip such as this. Any electronic devices will likely need an adapter for an electricity plug in. Make a list. As far as the summer weather goes, the average temperature is about 81 degrees but often in the 90s+ with humidity, so you’ll want some appropriate clothing for leisure, class and internship work.
5. When I arrive at Shanghai PuDong airport, what I am supposed to do?
Your flight schedule will be given to Shanghai Foreign Service Company (FESCO). A FESCO Rep will pick you up at the airport and take you to the Yachts hotel. He or she will have a sign with your last name on it.
6. What is the hotel I am staying at like?
You will stay at Yachts Chain Apartment Hotels - Inn Shanghai Apartment Hotel
There are laundry facilities at the hotel and a small, mini kitchen in each room.
1033 Kangding Rd. Jingan district
Shanghai, China
Tel: 011-86-21-52286318 Fax: 021-52286338 Postal: 200042
7. Where is the FESCO training facility located?
FESCO ITC Foreign Education and International Exchanges Dept.
3rd Floor, 838 Jiang Ning Road,Shanghai 200041
TEL: 86 21 6277 8990-322
FAX: 86 21 6227 36638. Will there be an orientation?
Your first week there will be an orientation time. You will learn how to go about daily life in Shanghai and how to get where you need to go, suggestions for food, all kinds of operational things such as this. Feel free to ask as many questions (in English) as you’d like. A FESCO rep will take you to your internship office location to get you started and ensure you know the best route to travel there. You’ll also know how to travel from the Yachts hotel to the FESCO training facility (and vice versa). You’ll begin your language and culture training during the first week as well. During the program, you’ll have a chance to give feedback to the program director to allow any adjustments to the program to be made to improve your experience. For example, students have switched or traded internships during the program.
9. How frequently will I have language and culture courses?
You are scheduled to participate in these intensely during the first week, and then twice a week for two (2) hours per day for the rest of the program to learn and improve your Chinese.
10. What locations will the program excursions take us to?
During the program, you will take a one day trip around the city of Shanghai. There are two (2), two day trips that you will take, which be announced before you leave.
11. Who should contact if I need some assistance while I’m in Shanghai?
China contact: TBA There will be a specific FESCO rep whose contact info will be provided to you.
USA contact:
You can contact me, Christopher Towne, as well at:
info@uschinacommunication.com
12. In what forms should I be prepared to bring or access money?
China is more of a cash-based society than the USA. Bring multiple forms of money. I would not come without major credit card(s), but you will not be able to use them as often as you would be able to in the USA. Also bring some travelers checks too. As far as the cash, it is good to bring enough to get started (say US $500-$1000). You can exchange at Pu Dong airport. As long as you have an ATM card, you can access quite a few ATMs to get Yuan (cash). The ATMs here should work fine with an ATM card that is on a major international ATM card network (i.e CIRRUS, PLUS, etc.). There are Bank of China branches all over the city as well as quite a few HSBC and Citibank branches where ATMs rarely do not work, so they are good. Other bank ATMs, say Construction Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China may not work as often.
13. How can I access the internet?
There are numerous internet “bars” in the city and a FESCO rep will assist you in finding the best one. The FESCO offices also have internet-connected PCs.
14. How can I call home?
You can buy international phone cards from the post office, stores and street vendors that will save you money than calling directly, so take this route.
15. What are day to day prices like in Shanghai?
On the whole, prices in Shanghai are a cheaper than the USA, with the main exceptions being coffee & bars. Leisure items like these can be a bit expensive.
16. How can I get around?
Taxi fares start at 10 RMB (about $1.50) for the first 3 km, and 1 RMB (less than 25 cents) for each km thereafter. That's during the day at least -- they start at 13 RMB after 11pm and the fare rises more steeply too. Either way, it is pretty cheap compared to Chicago or New York. Shanghai’s new subway system is good - it'll also get you where you need to go quickly and pretty cheaply. Fares are usually 2-3 RMB, and the most expensive is 5 RMB. Trains usually run every 5 minutes until around 11pm, with trains running more frequently at peak hours.
17. What if I need a drugstore?
For basic pharmaceutical needs, Watsons has many stores all around Shanghai where you can buy most pills and other drugstore items.
18. What is a suggested healthcare facility to go to if I need one?
Parkway Health Clinics has five medical facilities situated in Shanghai. They are staffed by expatriate doctors and have imported vaccines. For appointments contact the call center on 6445 5999. This number also serves as a 24hr HealthLine for emergencies. A FESCO rep can advise you further on this. You are required to take out an insurance policy to cover medical services and treatment during the period abroad, if you are not sufficiently covered by an existing health insurance plan. Proof of acceptable medical insurance coverage will be provided to U.S. China Communication Institute, Inc. before leaving the U.S. for China.
19. Where can I get food economically?
Most restaurants are not too expensive, but Shanghai has it all. Really cheap eats like beef noodles (niurou lamian) can be found for about 5 RMB a bowl (about 80 cents), and lamb shish kebabs (yangrou chuan) at 2 RMB each. For an easier culinary experience, you could try a food court. They often have plastic models of food you can point at. Don’t worry, there is probably a McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut or Starbucks close by if you gotta have it.
20. Where can I get groceries?
For buying groceries, Shanghai has lots of supermarkets like the smaller Lianhua or the bigger Carrefour. Carrefour offers good deals on most things, though for some specialty foreign items you may have better luck at City Supermarket or Freshmart in Jing'an Temple Metro Station. There are also lots of local markets in case you want fresh produce. If you're in a rush then the convenience stores, such as Kedi, Alldays and Lawsons, have plenty of common goods, though the prices are a little more expensive than the supermarkets.
21. Is it OK to drink water from the faucet (tap water)?
No, drink bottled water only.
22. Is Shanghai safe?
Yes, crime is one of the smallest worries of most foreigners, at least crime of the conventional kind. There are always scammers, but in general it's a very safe place to be. Accounts of violent crime are rare, and you can generally walk around without fear of harm. Pickpockets can be a problem at times, especially around the tourist areas. It’s best to just to use basic self protection common sense at all times. You should not have any problems.
23. Where is the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai?
American Citizen Services Unit
U.S. Consulate General, Shanghai
1038 West Nanjing Road, 8th Floor
Tel: (86-21) 3217-4650 ext. 2102, 2103, 2114, 2142
Fax: (86-21) 6217-2071
After Hours Emergencies: (86-21) 6433-3936
Open 8:00am - 11:30am and 1:30pm - 3:30pm Monday to Friday.
*Closed on Tuesday afternoons, weekends and holidays.
Email: ShanghaiACS@state.gov
Website: http://shanghai.usembassy-china.org.cn/
24. What if I have additional questions that are not on this document?
No problem, please e-mail them to me at: info@uschinacommunication.com Or, we can set up a phone call if you wish.
25. Shanghai city Emergency Services Information
The emergency number for police is 110
The emergency number for fire is 119
*The local emergency police hotline for English speakers is 6357 7913
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