Alone in Harbin: My experience and 5 life-saving hacks for students
Traveling to China for language courses is a dream for many students. I had been studying the language since my first year, and by my fourth year, I finally got my chance: summer courses at HIT University (Harbin). I imagined beautiful campuses and new knowledge, but reality met me right at the airport.
I arrived alone, late in the night. Local time was around 1 AM. And then I faced the first problem: I had no internet connection and no local SIM card. Contact with home and my coordinator was lost. Calling a taxi via an app was also impossible.
Everything was resolved almost by chance: a taxi driver noticed me, drove me to the university gates, and left. But then the second part of the quest began. Time: 3 AM. Entry to the dormitory is only possible with an access card, which is issued upon dormitory check-in. There was no guard at the post, the city was asleep. I stood with my heavy suitcases in front of the closed gates in complete isolation.
Solution came in the form of random passersby, who were two cheerful students my age. Thanks to my knowledge of the language, I was able to explain the situation; they shared their internet with me, and I finally contacted my coordinator. I was let inside, and I was able to check in.
It was just a small part of my journey story and it ended well, but relying on luck and the kindness of strangers is a risky strategy. If you are also planning a trip to China, here are 5 lifehacks that will help you avoid my night adventure.
5 lifehacks for students in China
1. Print a "Rescue card"
Write your name, the name of the university (e.g., Harbin Institute of Technology or HIT), the dormitory address, and your coordinator's phone number on a piece of paper in Chinese characters. If your phone dies or there is no signal, you can show this note to a taxi driver or police officer.
2. Connect roaming or eSIM before departure
Do not hope to buy a SIM card immediately upon arrival, especially at night. Arrange tourist roaming with your operator or download an eSIM app for China in advance. Even 100 MB of traffic will be enough to call a taxi or send a message.
3. Agree on a meeting point in advance
Contact your coordinator or the receiving party before landing. Agree on a specific meeting place (e.g., "at the exit from the international terminal" or "at the information desk"). Do not hope that you will be able to call someone from the parking lot.
4. Download offline maps and a translator
Google Maps works poorly in China. Install the Maps.me app or Chinese maps by downloading the Harbin map in advance. Also, save an offline package for a translator (such as Baidu Translate) to explain yourself if language fails you.
5. Duplicate important contacts on paper.
In case of an emergency, your phone may die. Write down the embassy numbers, the university hotline, and friends' contacts in a notebook. A paper medium does not require charging and is always at hand.
A trip to China is an unforgettable experience that teaches not only the language but also independence. But the best independence is one backed by good preparation. Have a great trip, my friends!
