Studying in China 🇨🇳 - CUC
It is now the summer break and I have ended my year 2. The upcoming freshies will be coming in around September and always wondering if there are any Singaporeans coming in.
Studying in China brought lots of Joy but I cried a lot a lot a lot a lot in the beginning. I wasn’t missing home, I wasn’t crying cause I couldn’t have a nice plate of Chicken rice and ban mian and mee pok. I was crying because I felt very left out by my classmates( it varies between courses, I do feel my course is more competitive and toxic) Many times I just wished it is just individual projects because when is group project, nobody wants foreign student. I do hear stuff from other local friends like they were told not to group with foreign students because they are either not capable or they don’t do their work”. (Some truth but lel sometimes I think I more hardworking) Just know that CUC is considered a “ better school” so people here are in general pretty smart. And also, from my observation, they may not be the most hardworking, they may not be the smartest, but they do know how to get good grades.
I almost wanted to drop out, pack everything and just head back home because the admin stuff was already driving me crazy and I had to deal with people. It was just a sudden change that I wasn’t use to. Thankfully, my mum reminded me how coming to China was a dream and told me to hang on even tho it is tough.
After getting to know more people, having friends from other courses, other countries, and even made friends outside my school, I was much much much happier. Also, who doesn’t love the convenience of Taobao, Pinduoduo, meituan and many more hahaha. Because Beijing is HUGEEEE, I have actually spent most of my time hanging around in Beijing and I haven’t got bored of it haha ( maybe I am just a boring person?). I have only been to Inner Mongolia throughout my 2 years LOL
tbh, I really love my stay here even though I miss my family. There are just so so so many activities and so convenient. The media industry is on the different level compared to Singapore ( which was one of the reason why I came to China). Even though, I still feel like a newbie, because I just can’t afford local’s budget ( they spend 10k RMB and above for each shoot) while I just spend about 2k RMB or less🤡 . But I had fun learning new things and getting to experience things I probably won’t experience for the rest of my life hahahah
Okay that’s all ~ I feel like half the time I am just blabbering tho I tried to shorten Liao hhh but anyways if u have any questions or are looking to apply, am happy to help if I can 😊
I have applied 北电 before ( obv I was rejected), 北京师范大学 & 浙江传媒学院 & 中国传媒大学 . It was after much consideration and talking to locals online that led to my final decision —— CUC ! 😇
When thinking about studying abroad in China, many worry about fitting in and academic competition. From my experience at CUC, while group projects can be tough and sometimes exclude foreign students, it’s important to find your circle. Joining students from different courses and international friends really helped me feel more welcomed. Also, Beijing’s vastness and convenience with apps like Taobao and Meituan are incredible—shopping and food delivery make life easier and more fun. Studying media in China is eye-opening, especially seeing the scale of budgets locals have for shoots compared to mine. Despite financial limits, the learning opportunities are huge. To those who feel overwhelmed by the admin or cultural differences, I recommend reminding yourself why you chose this path and holding on to that dream, just like my mum encouraged me. The journey is a mix of challenges and growth. Additionally, the practical classes I’ve attended, such as stage lighting using ARRI equipment, offer hands-on experience that enriches my media studies significantly. This kind of exposure is sometimes hard to find elsewhere. For prospective students, especially Singaporeans wondering if they will find their place, my advice is: be patient, seek friends beyond your immediate course, and embrace the convenience and vibrant life Beijing offers. It’s also helpful to know that CUC is a competitive but smart community where grades matter, and working hard can go a long way. If you’re applying to Chinese media universities like CUC, Beijing Normal, or Zhejiang Media College, gather insights from current students and trust your instincts—it’s a rewarding adventure.
