Living in Tianjin

ianjin is a buzzing city that draws a diverse mix of people. You can see why, when Tianjin has a higher GDP than Beijing and Shanghai. And,
reports 14% annual economic growth – fastest for any region in the
country. You'll find excellent value for money in Tianjin. The cost of
living here is significantly cheaper than the UK or US. You'll be able
to make the most of your time in China on a student budget.
Tianjin has a history of internationalism – you'll see lots of European
architecture from throughout the 20th Century in the Five Avenues
district. The beautiful Bohai river flows through the city, popular for
evening walks, jogging and late night dancing.
As an international student, you'll probably attract curiosity from the
locals. They'll want to get to know you and your story. Some of our
students say they feel like rockstars on campus! The biggest
international community in Tianjin is South Korean. Numbers of African
and South Asian people are growing at the fastest rate. We'll help you
make friends with other international students on campus, and local
Chinese students, too. You'll find good restaurants, pool halls and bars
for students just across the street from campus. Tianjin has multiple
universities, it's a big student-friendly city to live in.

Your studies at Nankai University will likely include an internship or
placement. Tianjin is a great place to be for this. 285 Fortune 500
companies have a presence in the city, including Samsung, Toyota,
Motorola, Yamaha and luxury brand hotels. You’re also just 30 minutes on
the bullet train from the capital, Beijing. Tianjin is home to one of
China’s leading mini-invasive surgery training centres.
The Nankai University campus is so vast that it will feel like your own
close-knit student town. New friends are around every corner and we
organise lots of activities to help you meet people. Concerts, sports
and talent shows are popular here, so bring that acoustic guitar with
you! The YICA (Chinese Culture Exchange Society) club offers a platform
to share and celebrate your culture with other students. Although there
isn't any religious provision on campus, you'll find a number of
registered churches and mosques nearby which will welcome you.

The international student accommodation building will be your home from
home for the next few years. It’s the best option for your first
semester, as you’ll be close to everything you need on campus. The
building has 24-hour security and key card access. Can’t cook? Don’t
cook! You’ll find a number of canteens and restaurants either on-site or
within 10 minutes’ walk of your accommodation, serving breakfast, lunch
and dinner. Facilities are similar to dorms in a UK or US university –
Wi-Fi, phones, post and laundry are all right where you need them. The
international student dormitory gives you the best start to your
studies.

It's the real deal here. Chinese food in China is unlike the Chinese
food you get back home. You'll taste the eight main cuisines of Chinese
food, which vary significantly in flavour and style. Between the two
campuses there are six student canteens, a halal canteen, four large
Chinese restaurants, a cafeteria for international students and
countless small independent traders selling snacks and drinks around
campus. The Tianjin campus also has a fruit, meat and vegetable market.
You'll never go hungry – even on a student budget. Typical meals in the
canteen cost around RMB 10 – less than a loaf of bread in the Europe.

Need your fries fix? Who doesn't? There are small cafes and western food
outlets on campus serving burgers and sandwiches. You can also find a
few familiar brands including Subway and Gloria Jeans Coffee just
minutes away from the international student dormitory on the Jin Nan
campus.