- China has, in recent years, become one of the preferred destinations of Indian students for pursuing higher studies, especially for M.B.B.S. courses, mainly due to the ease of admission and inexpensive tuition fees.
- However it has been noticed that a large number of students come to China without enough information. There have also been instances of the students being misled by educational consultants /admission agents in the process.
- Owing to these factors, it is essential that students wishing to come to China do as much research as possible to try and ensure a wise choice of institution and also understand as clearly as possible the kind of life that awaits them here, so that they enjoy a positive experience of studying and living in China, as indeed most Indian students do.
MedicalEducation in China
Eligible Institutions
- Every year, the PRC Ministry of Education (MOE) issues a list of Institutions and scale of enrollment in China that are authorized to enroll international students for undergraduate clinical medical programmes in English medium. This is a six year programme (including one year internship). This list is available at
http://www.indianembassy.org.
The list is also available on the MOE and the Medical Council of India (MCI) websites.
- MOE has informed that any college/university which is not included in the list is not entitled to enrol foreign Under-graduate students for Clinical & Oral Medicine in English medium to study in China.
- The MCI will issue eligibility certificates to only those MBBS students who have studied in the MOE approved Universities.Only these students will be allowed to appear for the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) conducted by the MCI to be able to practise or do internship in India. MCI has approved that Internship for such students can be done in India or in China. However it may be noted that some universities insist on the students doing internship only at the same university-affiliated hospitals.
- It is advisable to check the reputation of the institution as well as the facilities available, academic standards of the faculty etc. before enrolling into any institution.
- Students being recruited through Agents in India are advised to thoroughly check the background and other details of the Agent before coming to China. The Agents also have contracts with the Universities. Students are advised to check with the Universities before making any financial commitments.
- It may also be noted that the transfer(migration) to another university halfway through the MBBS course has been prohibited by the MCI. Its notifications No. MCI-203(9)/2010-Regn./
3494and 3495 dated 16/04/2010) clearly state that for a student to be eligible to appear for the FMGE, she/he must have completed the course from the same institution. Those students who would migrate to other universities after 16/04/2010 will not qualify to appear for the FMGE.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR THE INDIAN STUDENTS
SAFETY
10. There have been incidents of fighting amongst the students of different nationalities. Also there been an increase in the incidents of petty theft and robbery, especially in South China. Therefore, there is a need for the students to exercise caution in taking care of their belongings both in their dormitories as well as while travelling outside.
AGENTS
- Because of incorrect information received fromagents or other sources, it has been seen that many students come to Chinawithout the required financial resources or support. All students wishing tostudy in China must note that it is NOT possible for a student to work in Chinato pay tuition fees or meet other expenses.
- Students are exploited by some agents in India whopresent a false picture of what life is like in China and by unscrupulouseducational institutions.
Ø Make sure you cross-check what anagent tells you with the website of the concerned institution and with the varioussources of information.
Ø Please also write down all thepromises made by the agent and get him to sign the list; this would be requiredin case of any dispute, and also is a confirmation that the agent is not takingyou for a ride but is willing to stand by what he is offering. There have beencases of students being cheated of their money by unscrupulous agents bypromising students admissions, on fake University letter heads.
SUB-STANDARD UNIVERSITIES/INSTITUTIONS
- There have also been problems encountered in recentmonths by students studying in privately run colleges, owing to the existenceof several sub-standard institutions which do not meet the standards setby the Chinese Ministry of Education. These sub-standard institutions exploitinternational students in a variety of ways. Students who enrol in suchsub-standard institutions do not have a happy experience in China. The numberof such institutions and the problems created for their students has increasedin the recent past.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
- There have been instances of medical emergenciesincluding unfortunate accidents/death of students involving heavy hospitalexpenditure and transportation of the deceased to India to the tune of USD15,000-20,000. It is advised that the students have medical insurance at alltimes. Further, after arrival and stay in China, you should ensure thatyour insurance is renewed on a regular basis. All students have to pay forInsurance renewal charges annually.
AIR TICKETS
- Some of the Universities such as University ofSuzhou, Nanjing, Jiangsu and Zhejiang have a mechanism through which Indianstudents can purchase international air tickets. Under this arrangement anodal body approved by the university authorities would liaise directly withAir India and Jet Airways for purchase of air tickets. All students areadvised to contact the Dean of International Affairs Division for thispurpose. Air Tickets purchased through unauthorised agents or through astudent who acts as travel agent and collects money, should be strictlydiscouraged.
- General Do’s and Don’ts
(i) BEFORE ARRIVING IN CHINA
Ø Students wishing to study inChina are advised to be fully informed of all the actual costs involved instudying in China, as also of the relevant rules and regulations in China.
Ø Before committing yourself tostudying in China, do your research.
Ø Make sure that the institutionoffering the course has a good reputation, especially if it is a privately-runinstitution. You can do this by:-
v Checking that the institution andthe course that you plan to take, is properly registered with the China government,which you can do at www.studyinchina.edu.cn
v Carefully reading the website ofthe institution, which should provide all the information you needto make an informed decision, such as a description of the course offered, theenvironment, the teaching methods, facilities, minimum English languageproficiency, etc.
v Checking with the EducationOfficer in the Chinese Embassy in New Delhi or the Consulates in Mumbai andKolkata.
v Checking with friends or otherswhom you may know who are studying or have studied in China.
Ø Make sure that you have adequatefinances to cover the cost of living as well as your education costs.
Ø Also make sure that you have awritten agreement from the institution before paying any fees; this will beessential if there is any dispute. All students should deposit the annualtuition fee and hostel fee in the University Bank account direct from any bankin India. All banks in India have facility to remit fee amount through Swiftaccounts. All Universities in China have Swift accounts to accept fee from thestudents direct from their home country. After admission, student should askthe University/ agent concerned for the Swift Account details.
Ø Students areadvised to visit the websites of the respective Universities to familiarisethemselves with:-
v Your legal rights as a studentand all the relevant rules and regulations that apply to you;
v Make sure that the Agent isregistered with the University;
(ii) AFTER YOU ARRIVE IN CHINA – SETTLING DOWN
Ø On arrival, you should convey bymeans of an e-mail or a letter, to the Consular Officer at the Embassy ofIndia/Consulates, your contact details, including name and address, the name ofthe university/ educational institution you are studying in, details of thecourse you are joining, and the duration of your intended stay in China.
Ø Check out the various banks oncampus and see what they offer before opening an account. Please do not keeplarge amounts of cash at home or on your person.
Ø Check out different plans beforebuying a mobile phone. Remember to use phone cards/VOIP for internationalcalls.
Ø In your University/place ofstudy, it would be useful for you to keep in touch not only with other Indianstudents but also with University authorities;
Ø Any and all complaints should bebrought to the attention of appropriate authorities; at no stage, should youtake or attempt to take the law into your own hands; breaking the law willinvite strict legal and police action, which could include deportation andcancellation of visas by University authorities/Bureau of Public Security ofP.R.ofChina.
Ø Visa must be renewed annually andwell in time.
Ø Remember that you represent theimage of India in China. Behave appropriately at all times.
Ø Students should deposit theirannual tuition fee, etc. well in time following the time line given by the concerned University.There have been many instances where the students have been dropped out or notallowed to appear in the exam due to late payment of fee. Please note that theEmbassy cannot extend any help in such matters.
Ø Ragging in any form is notacceptable in India and also in China. The students who are found to beinvolved in it have been expelled from their institutions in the past. TheEmbassy of India will not offer any help / support for such behaviour. If youare being subjected to any bullying/harassment, you should immediately take upthe matter with the International Students Office and also contact the Embassy/ Consulate General of India about it.
(iii) Living safely inChina
Ø Keep important documents andmoney in a safe place.
Ø Make sure you keep photocopies ofrelevant pages in your passport and other important documents in a separateplace. It is a good idea to scan them and keep the soft copy safely stored.
Ø Always carry with you someidentification as well as details of who should be contacted in an emergency.
Ø Do not drivingmotor-bike, etc. without driving license. Always drive responsibly. There havebeen instances where students got involved with accidents and had to pay heftyamounts in compensation and even had been expelled by their respectiveUniversities for breaching the local rules & regulations.
Ø In case you have a complaint, getin touch with the officer responsible for International student welfare at theUniversity. In case the University authorities are unable to help, students mayget in touch with the Education Officer at Embassy of India/Consulate of India.
Ø The details of the educationofficers are as follows:
v Beijing
Tel + 86 10 85312554,
Email:<ssec@indianembassy.org.
v Shanghai
Tel +86 21 62193789
Fax+86 21 62758881
Email<cinf@indianconsulate.
v Guangzhou
Tel +86 20 85501509
Fax +86 2085501513
Email <consulic.guangzhou@mea.gov.in
- UNIVERSALRULES OF BEHAVIOUR WHICH ARE IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
Always remember that you are an Indian and that your behaviour willdetermine the image of India and Indians, by those who interact with you.Obviously, none of you would wish to project a negative image of India andIndians. Therefore, it is important to always remember and abide by thefollowing basic rules of behaviour which all of you already know but which areworth emphasising:-
Ø Do not push or shove in crowds.
Ø Don’t ever break a queue.
Ø Don’t talk so loudly that otherpeople are disturbed.
Ø Don’t ask personal questions ofstrangers.
Ø Please show respect for all,irrespective of age, gender, dress or appearance.
Ø Please respect other’s time andbe punctual; if you are running late or cannot make an appointment, pleaseensure that you inform the person you are going to meet, well in time.
Ø Remember that certain aspects ofChinese culture are different from your own. Do not make any judgment aboutpeople based on the fact that they speak, dress, eat or behave differently fromyou.
- MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR CHINA EXPERIENCE
Ø For many of you, this may perhapsbe the first time that you are away from home and in a foreign country,enjoying your first taste of independence. Please do remember, however, that inChina you are an adult, if you are over 18 years of age. You will be treated asan adult and held responsible for your actions and consequences.
Ø Remember that as a studentstudying in China, you have an opportunity to learn about China and othercultures. Spend time with other students from other countries and with Chinesestudents. This is the best way of not feeling isolated and will considerablyenrich your experience of studying in a foreign country.
Ø Remember, when learning aboutChina and other cultures that some people you meet may not know much aboutIndian culture. You should be ready to communicate with the persons you meet,about where you from are and your culture; also for example which food you canor cannot eat or any other cultural needs, stating quite clearly the reasonsbehind them.
- MODEAND METHOD OF ADDRESS:
Ø The first word of Chinese name isthe surname (e.g. Wang in the name Wang Baoyu or Sun in the name Sun Jingfeng).
Ø Chinese should be addressed as“Mr. followed by surname” or “Madam followed by surname”. In verbaladdress or reference, the given names should not be used.
Ø Handshaking on meeting andparting is usual. This is normally accompanied by the expressions “NIHAO” (how are you/hello) or “ZAI JIAN” (goodbye/see you again)”. The othercommon expression that may come in handy is “XIE XIE” (Thank You). If theexpressions can be remembered and used, it will be much appreciated by theChinese.
Ø Clapping is quite common towelcome guests or respond to speeches/ remarks. It is recommended thatindividuals being welcomed “clap back”.
- CUSTOMSAND HABITS:
Ø Generally speaking, the Chinesehave dinner early (6-6:30 PM).