Well, now it's over then. Once again I have to say this, I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW FAST THE SPRING WENT! Even though time went fast, now I have a feeling that I've learned and experienced so much new that I cannot imagine. I am sure, that only after awhile I can understand the scale of this semester. There is so much travelling, learning new things and trying to survive with the language, slowly but surely, that this definitely something I'm going to tell my grandchildren…"In the 20th century China was this and that…" ahahaha.. :)

Last week was an exam week. In four days we did seven exams, quite hc right?! ;D Well, luckily one of them was a home exam and one taiji exam, where we had to remember eight moves of taiji. Not too difficult. Language tests were the most difficult ones, but luckily teachers prepared us well for the exams. Everything went just fine and we all passed the courses pretty easily. It was sad to leave all the friends and even teachers back and continue life again in a new place. But, just how the life goes and I was the one who made the decision to live there only 3 months and then move on. Anyway, I'm glad that everything went well during the whole spring and I wish we all will benefit of this experience very much in the future whatever our careers are.

But before I quit writing this blog, I will tell you about the apartments in campus and some other practical tips what to do when the next ones will arrive to Guangzhou.

First about the living. We all lived in campus hotel where we had our own rooms that cost about 270 Euros each month. In the room we had bed, crossbar with hangers for the clothes, TV, couple drawers, small glass table with chairs and a desk. All the rooms had also private toilet and shower. Just week before we left the hotel staff set three washing machines to the hallway which we were able to use with 0,30 Euros. Living was very easy and safe and the food cantine was just next to our building. Cleaning was included to the rent and cleanerlady visited 2 times a week. Once a week she changed the sheets and once just washed the floors. Towels were not included to rent, but sheets were. Internet access, water and electricity were included to rent also. There is one internet cable in every room and also an airconditioning maschine.

Then about eating. Like I just said, one very cheap cantine was right next to us. Other cantine was about 5 minutes walk and the food center about the same time. Cantines serve very cheap and basic food, such as dumplings, friend noodles and rice. Also some vegetables and soups are possible to get there. Food in cantine is about 0,20-1 Euros. Depends what you like to eat. In food center there are dozens of different restaurants, basically kind of fast food places. From there you can get spaghetti bolognese, pizza, hamburgers, sushi, Korean food and of course different kinds of Chinese food. Prices are between 1 and 2 Euros.

In the mega center there is a supermarket Brilliant, where you can buy everything from house wares to food. Towels, washing powders etc. are so cheap, and for example hair dryers cost only 3-5 Euros, so as a girl, I would not bring one all the way from Finland. In the Mega Center, there is also hairdressers, massage places and lots of bazaars. But I gotta warn you… 99% of bazaar clothes are so bad quality that they don't last long. It was actually very expensive to buy clothes with 3 Euros when you were able to use them only once or twice. Be sure that your product is proper one! From mega center you can also find travel agencies and keep in mind that most of the time domestic flights are cheaper in campus travel agency than in internet! You can also buy train tickets from the office but prepare your visit, because the staff don't speak a word English!

Then about the transportation. With buses 381 you can get to the subway station and buses 4 and 33 go straight to city center. Just make sure before stepping to bus, that you are in the right side of the street (right bus stop) because from wrong side of the road all the buses go to the depot (varikko). Bus 381 costs 1 yuan and buses 4 & 33 cost 3 yuan. Number 4 is much faster than 33, but of course it doesn't go to so many places.

Ask your university staff to help you to buy subway cards and campus cards. With campus card you can pay in all the restaurants, cantines and bakeries etc. With subway card you can naturally pay in the subway and you don't have to buy a ticket every time you use the tube. Subway card is also useful in the buses, they accept your payment with that card also.

I think that now this blog is facing its end… But, I really wish you all new GU students will have a great time and you enjoy every moment! Thank you for following this blog and I hope it was useful when you are doing your decision to come to Guangzhou! Have a blast time and remember to have fun and travel also a lot beside studies!! :) Ciao!