Mikayla

In a week I will be leaving for Beijing to start a year long study abroad. I know when I start meeting people a common question is going to be about my parents. Usually I will only mention my mom and my sister. But if people ask about my dad I just tell them that I am adopted and that my mom is a single parent so I don't have a dad.

I understand this a different culture with different views regarding single parents and adoption so none of the responses will offend me (I've heard it all before anyway) but I am curious as to what range I might expect. Since I will be in a bigger city and dealing with mostly college age people do you think the response will be more open minded?

Not really worried about this. Just curious.

I am going to china for a study abroad soon and while checking my flight information I noticed that they changed the times of my first flight! This means that I have less than 2 hours to get to my other flight in San Francisco International Airport. The last time I went through SFO was about 6 years ago but I know back then you had to take a bus to a totally different building to get on an international flight. Is there a security checkpoint to go through? I really can't afford to miss this flight to China so I need to know now if I need to change my ticket.

Thanks for your help!

I will be going to Beijing as a student so things like cell phone, heating, water, and such are all included in my program fees. My housing is also covered but not my food. So lets take those out of the picture.

I will be attending BLCU. Assuming that I spend most of my time in Wudaoko and eating at the cafeteria type places can someone give me an estimate of how much I would be looking at for food every month?

Also how much are the various modes of transport. If I am going somewhere I will be taking the bus or the subway, taxis are too expensive for my tastes so I'll be avoiding them when ever possible.

Just trying to plan how much I need to save for my first few months abroad.

Thank you!

I'm looking into going to China for a year. Found what looks like a good program but they had some strange requirements as part of their application. They wanted:

--a passport-sized photo

--a copy of your passport information

--a copy of a school diploma or certificate that shows your educational level

--attached detailed application

The photo and copy of my passport seemed odd. Has anyone who studied abroad sent these as part of the process? It this something people usually ask for?