PiB 2007 Preparation Updates

This is the last entry I shall be posting from "Princeton" - in a week, I shall be "in Beijing!" Yes, that's right dudes and dudettes, after months of fervent anticipation, it's almost here! In the twinkling of an eye, I shall be preparing for the program in my nice, warm office in Xinsong Gongyu, waiting to see your joyously jet-lagged countenances...

Well, this post hopes to provide you with a final boost of preparatory wisdom, during these last days before your momentous crossing:

I. Flight Arrivals on Thursday, June 21 and Friday, June 22.

For those who've requested for transport from the airport to BNU: after clearing customs and getting your baggage and all, look out for a sign that says either "PiB" or "Princeton in Beijing." You may have to wait for a short while, because bus shuttles will leave only at regular intervals, probably every 2-3 hours. (Depending on how much info I can get, I may inform you of the shuttle departure times.)

If you arrive at a time when the previous shuttle has only just left, you may have to wait quite a while. Or if you don't want to wait, just inform the driver, and you can intrepidly take a cab to BNU by yourself. Also, in the unlikely event that you are simply unable to find the shuttle, please take a cab too. (The fare should be in the region of 100 RMB.) Refer to pg 27 of the Handbook for instructions!

And if you've not told me that you want a ride by this time, I am really unable to slot you in, i.e.:
1) please don't email me with a last-minute request; and
2) BNU will not be responsible for making sure you get transport to the dorm.
However, if you are desperate for this free and reliable transport service, this is what you can do: upon arrival, look for the person with the "PiB" sign. He may or may not be very visible, because your arrival time isn't on his list. But if you see him (or other PiB-looking students - you will know them by their really, really ridiculously good-looking faces) just go to him and tell him meekly that you're not on the list but would truly appreciate hopping on the bus with them to BNU. He'll probably agree. But if it happens that the bus is totally full, be prepared to take the taxi to BNU yourself too.

II. Princetonian Textbook Carriers

If you've been specially entrusted to carry some textbooks for us, please don't forget to bring them over!! Thank you!! (If you don't know what this is about, it doesn't concern you.) Everyone: please bring all your textbooks and CDs to Beijing with you!

III. Visa/Passport Stuff

Worse case scenario: if you've been a naughty recalcitrant without a visa yet visa, and - gasp! - in fact, lose your JW202 form and/or BNU Admissions Notice, I'm afraid that you won't be able to join us this year... =/ Just kidding! No, if you find yourself in a dire emergency like this, just go ahead and get a regular travel ("L") visa for as long as you can (60 days?) to enter China. After you arrive, we will help you through whatever steps that need to be taken.

Also, it would be a good idea to make a few photocopies of your passport and visa to bring along to Beijing.

IV. Dorms

Breaking news: you will NOT need to call Xinsong Gongyu to reserve your room if you're arriving on June 21. Your room will be available, only that you'll need to pay for that night (around 100RMB, I believe) yourself when you check out at the end of the program.

If you'd like to stay in the dorm any earlier than that, you will also not need to phone ahead to reserve a room (unless you'd like to warm-up for the program by chatting with the receptionist in Chinese). There is a chance that you may be placed in another room for a few nights before you get to move to your actual room for the summer on June 21.

This will be in the Living Guide you get when you register with me, but I thought it'd be important for those of you arriving early. Do NOT use the stand-alone ATM just within the Dongmen of Beishida. It is known for having beguiling and eating up many unsuspecting students' ATM cards! Instead, use the trustworthy Bank of China ATM just to the right of the Dongmen as you walk out, after you passing the McDonald's. (And yes, I did say McDonald's. Beishida is the only university in China with a McDonald's on campus!)

IV. Language Pledge

Just in case you were wondering: you are allowed to write emails and read books in English. You will find though, that the more totally and thoroughly you immerse yourself in a pure language environment, the more marked your improvement will be.

The Language Pledge kicks on only after the Opening Ceremony in the morning of Sunday, June 24, so you don't have to feel sheepish or guilty if you want to chat with your "travel buddy" or the other people in the airport shuttle in English!