Student Report
Name of the University: Fudan University
Exchange semester: Fall, 2015
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
Fudan University sent out an information package before leaving, which was very convenient.
The package contained a lot of information about the school as well as obtaining the residence
permit which is required if you want to travel in and out of China during your stay.
Applying for a visa (if applicable)
- How did you apply for your visa, what did it cost and did you have difficulties?
I applied for the visa through Nordic China Consulting. A previous classmate from BI
is running this company and offers discounted prices to BI students. It takes about a
week to get the visa, and he will help you get everything sorted.
Travel
- Flight
Housing
- Fudan University offers housing through their student dorms at Tohee. These are
highly sought after, so be quick to secure a room. However, most students stay off
campus as the school is located somewhat in the outskirts of the city. Somewhere
along line 2 is highly reccomendable if you are looking for something central, and
Rainbow City is also a good alternative as it is located right between the city centre
and the school.
Costs
- Approximately how much per month did you spend on rent, books, food,
transportation, and other personal expenses?
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
NOK 5500
NOK 0
NOK 3000
NOK 400
NOK
Culture and language
- Did you have any language problems with the faculty or other students?
The students at Fudan are some of the brightest minds in China, so English is not a
problem for them. However, from personal experience, group work with chinese
students can prove to be quite a challenge, so be aware.
- How were the possibilities to experience the country and the culture?
There are great options to explore natural attractions both close by as well as travel to
distant places, such as Xian, Guilin and even Tibet.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Please describe:
The school campus is massive, which you will experience when walking around the
first few days. They have several football pitches both inside the campus, as well as on
the other side of the road, right next to the School of Management, where you most
probably will have all your classes. The workload is not as heavy as you might have
experienced at BI.
Course registration
You get an e-mail during the summer about registering for courses. The course
registration opens around 3 am, and as there are rather limited options for courses you
should be prepared to wake up in the middle of the night to select the courses you wish
to have. However, be prepared for the website being extremely slow, and that you
eventually will not end up with your preferred courses.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Examination period:
Any special events/holidays:
Other:
26.08
01.09
31.01
01.10-07.10
Arrival
-
The International Office
- As an exchange student, did you receive sufficient and relevant information?
Yes, the information provided by the exchange office was flawless. The office was
available to answer any questions at mostly any time.
Promoting BI and Norway
- What kind of activities were you involved in to promote exchange to Norway at your
exchange university? None
Social activities
- How was the relationship with native students and that among exchange students?
Most of the chinese class mates were working as the exchange is to part of an IMBAprogram, so they are mostly busier than you. As far as the relationship between the
exchange students it was very good. You will meet a lot of different and interesting
people that will definitely make your stay memorable.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
- Describe the teaching style (practical, theoretical, cases/lectures, formal/informal etc.)
Teaching style is very similar to what you area used to at BI.
- How is the level and workload compared to that at BI?
Level and workload is very much manageable, and should not be a problem at all.
Course materials
- Describe the course materials used (books/literature, online articles, Powerpoint, level
of course material etc).
The teachers will tell you to buy the books, but will also provide you the sufficient
material through Powerpoints and so on.
Exams
- Was the exam based on the course materials or on the lectures?
The exams were mostly based on the lectures, but the lectures were rooted in the
material.
Library and technology
- Describe the facilities
The library is much smaller than at BI, but as it is only accessible for students at
School of Management, there shouldn´t be a problem with finding a spot.
Description of courses
Please list below all the courses you took while on exchange. Your comments are useful for
BI and for future exchange students, include information on the qacadmic level, challenges,
relevance to your studies, if the course was practical/theoretical, any enrolment issues, etc.
Course code & name
Example:FIN123
Finance
Leading with
Enneagram
Master/
Bachelor
Bachelor
Master
Operations
management by Lean
principles
Decision Making
Master
Strategic Cost
Management
China Business
Practice
Master
Master
Master
Exam form
Prerequisites
4-hour written
exam
Individual take
home exam +
group
presentation
1 hour exam +
take home exam
None
Approved
as
Elective
None
Elective
None
Elective
Take home
examen
Take home
exam
Group
presentations
None
Elective
None
Elective
None
Elective
Comments
On a final note, how will you sum up the exchange experience?
- E.g. the experience from an academic, cultural and social point of
view, influences to your future career possibilities etc.
The exchange experience was great. We met a lot of different people and
made connections that I am sure will last for a very long time. Shanghai is a
great destionation city for someone who is looking for new experiences and
impulses, and is highly reccomendable!
Don´t hesitate to get in touch with me through the International Office if
you have any questions.