No problem, While the language barrier can be daunting at first, it won't be long before you are out and about conversing with locals and taking care of tasks on your own. Even if you have zero knowledge of Mandarin to begin with, you will find that you learn extremely fast in the total immersion environment that is unique to our programs and location. Our English speaking support staff are available 24hrs/day and are always more than happy to help out should you require assistance. 

Yes, anybody coming to China for work, study or travel will need to have a visa. Our admissions staff will advise you on the most appropriate visa for your program and KCE will handle any necessary extensions when you are in country. 

Anyone with an interest in learning Mandarin is encouraged to apply. Our students range in age from 16-65, come from all corners of the globe and have very diverse backgrounds.

Yes, couples and groups are welcome to apply. If you are interested in coming out with a partner or organizing a group tour please e-mail us with your requirements. For specific information about our group courses you can visit our STUDY GROUPS/SCHOOL TOURS page. 

This really depends on your individual spending habits. Living in Shijiazhuang is a lot cheaper than the more touristy, over developed cities of China. Meals in restaurants cost anywhere from 5rmb for a big bowl of beef noodles or fried rice and vegetables to 15-25rmb for dishes like sweet and sour pork or kung pao chicken. If you take public transport and eat at middle tier restaurants you can easily get by on 25-40 USD/week. 

No. There are a growing number of vegetarians/vegans in China and you will find a multitude of dishes that meet your requirements. Many of our past students have had some dietary restrictions and had no trouble finding suitable, tasty food. 

Yes. Many of our students open a Chinese bank account while here. Our staff are always happy to help out with banking details and advise on the best type of account for your needs. The process is very simple and you only need an initial deposit of 1 rmb.

ATM's in Shijiazhuang accept all major credit and bank cards. In most cases there is a usage fee and daily withdraw limit so it is recommended that you check with your home bank prior to arrival. 

Yes. There are several banks around town where you can change foreign currency and travellers checks. All major currencies icluding US dollar, Euro, British pound and several others are exchangable. 

Certainly. Many students receive packages from home sent directly to our school.

While travel insurance is not required, we do strongly recommend it for any overseas travel. e-mail us for a list of international providers.

Almost all commonly used western medicines are available here. If you are on prescription medication or have special requirements please e-mail us and we will check availability.

Yes, broadband internet speeds in Shijiazhuang are on par with all of the larger developed cities in mainland China. 

In 95% of cases receiving college credit hasn't been a problem for KCE students. While the ultimate decision to award university credit for ANY study abroad program is up to your educational institution, the quality of our instruction and certifications of our instructors make it very likely that you will be able to receive college credit. KCE will actively work with your institution to provide all the information they need to make this decision. E-mail us with the contact information for your school's representative and we will be happy to initiate the process for you!