Living in China as a Student: Your First-Month Guide

Set up communication and offline essentials

The Ministry of Commerce guide says foreigners can apply for a SIM card at telecom operators’ service offices using a passport or other accepted identification. Compare data, call allowances, contract length and cancellation terms before choosing a plan.

Before arrival, save the university address in Chinese, the accommodation contact and the route from the airport. Keep access to your home phone number if it is needed for bank verification. Check roaming and device compatibility with your provider rather than assuming your existing setup will work unchanged.

Official sources: Ministry of Commerce: working and living in China guide

Make everyday payments resilient

Official guidance describes mobile payment options including Alipay and Weixin Pay, the use of supported overseas bank cards and RMB cash. Card acceptance, verification, transaction limits and charges depend on the product and situation. Follow the current app and bank instructions.

Test a small payment before relying on a method for tuition or rent. Keep a backup card and some accessible cash, and know how to contact your bank if a transaction is blocked. For scholarship payments, ask whether the university needs a local bank account and which documents its recommended branch requests.

Official sources: Shanghai: payment methods for foreigners, July 2026

Learn your daily route before exploring widely

The government guide points foreign travellers to China Railway’s 12306 English website or app for rail bookings with identity verification. For local transport, learn the options available in your own city rather than assuming that one app or bank card works identically across China.

Practise the journey between your room, classroom and supermarket while you have time. Save the destination in Chinese, identify the correct station exit and keep a way to pay if your phone battery runs out. For intercity travel, match the ticket’s identity details to the travel document you will carry.

Official sources: Ministry of Commerce: working and living in China guide

Build a food routine that fits your needs

Find out how the campus canteen works, whether you need a campus card and what hours it serves meals. Compare a few ordinary meals before setting your food budget. Keep a simple list of affordable options near your accommodation.

If you have an allergy or other dietary requirement, prepare a clear written Chinese explanation and check ingredients with the provider. A phrase about avoiding an ingredient is a communication aid, not a guarantee about preparation or cross-contact. Ask the campus office about relevant food facilities instead of assuming every campus has the same options.

Know where to get help

Read your student insurance policy and ask the university how to use it. Check which facilities are covered, whether you pay first and claim later, what documents are needed and how to contact the insurer. Do not assume that buying a policy makes every clinic visit free.

If you use prescribed medicine or ongoing care, organise the practical arrangements with appropriate professionals before departure. Keep the campus support contacts and an emergency contact accessible. When a problem occurs, a clear contact list is more useful than searching unfamiliar pages under pressure.

Make the first month a manageable sequence

Use the first days for essential formalities, the first week for reliable daily services and the rest of the month for a sustainable learning routine. Review spending after two weeks and adjust it while you still have time.

• Arrival: confirm housing, university registration and the relevant immigration appointments.
• First week: organise communication, payment methods and the class commute.
• Second week: review spending, insurance instructions and campus support.
• By the end of the month: establish regular study, sleep, meals and a way to practise Chinese.

Use a small amount of Chinese every day

Practise greetings, prices, directions and polite requests for repetition. Start with situations you repeat, such as buying breakfast or collecting a parcel. Record useful expressions and ask a teacher about phrases you do not understand.

You do not need to master every app or speak perfectly in the first week. The goal is to make ordinary tasks dependable so that your attention can return to studying and meeting people.

Common questions