给家长的观察笔记：孩子去中国留学前该知道什么

Is it safe?

For most students in most Chinese cities, yes: violent crime rates are low, campuses are secure and supervised, and public transport is safe. The realistic risks are traffic, administrative errors with visas and the emotional adjustment of the first semester.

The single most useful thing a parent can do is understand the visa calendar. An X1 visa requires conversion into a residence permit within 30 days of entry, and that deadline is the one that matters most in the first month.

Is the degree recognised?

Chinese universities on the Ministry of Education list are recognised internationally, and China has mutual recognition agreements with dozens of countries. For professional degrees — medicine, dentistry, law, engineering with licensure — the recognition question is handled by the relevant professional body in your country, and it should be checked before enrolment, not after.

For research degrees, the supervisor and the publication record matter more than the institution's global rank.

How much does it cost and how do we send money?

A realistic all-in budget is CNY 60,000–130,000 per year including tuition, accommodation, food and travel, depending on the city and programme, and significantly less with any scholarship covering tuition. Many universities publish a cost-of-living estimate in their international admissions material.

Money is transferred by international wire to a Chinese bank account, or through services such as Wise. Your child should open a Chinese account in the first week — scholarship stipends are paid by transfer, and mobile payments depend on a domestic card.

How do we stay in touch?

WeChat is effectively universal in China and is the channel students use with family as well as everyone else; most international families end up using it. Roaming and international calling work but are expensive; a Chinese SIM plus WeChat calls is the practical arrangement.

Time difference: China is UTC+8 year round, with no daylight saving. That is 7 hours ahead of London, 13 ahead of New York and 2 behind Sydney.