GXU campus

I made a second visit to GXU campus today, to see if there would be any people around who can tell me more about the registration procedure and living on campus. It's Monday today, you would expect maybe a bit more activity, even though officially the university is closed until September 1st. There are a lot of people moving around campus today, not in the least because there seems to be some kind of military action going on. Loads of young (newly drafted?) people in military uniform gathering outside (and probably inside) some of the larger buildings. Later I pass a soccer field where thousands of uniformed boys and girls are cheering and waving red flags.

I also passed a small building which looks like it could be a mosque, with Arabic fringe and lettering, probably to satisfy Muslim students. The Mao era where freedom of religion was non-existent is clearly over.

Shortly after I passed the ominous library building, and just 100m further is the foreign student department. I bumped into a Vietnamese student by the name of Michael, who lead me to a man in the office, who was broadly smiling upon learning from my whereabouts and intentions. He tried to contact Ms. Wei, the foreign student department official whom I had been emailing with, but she was unreachable. Michael gave me her mobile number, for me to try later myself.
I already expected having to wait until September 1st, so will do just that. Meanwhile, Michael could tell me some interesting facts about the foreign student department. There are some 400-500 foreign students, of which the vast majority is Vietnamese (I already expected that, being so close to Vietnam). On a name list taped to the lobby wall in one of the students flats, I counted just one English name among about 50 Vietnamese, and some South-Indian sounding names. Michael told me that of the 5 student buildings, only one is for foreign students, and one for teachers. They have much larger rooms, and a kitchen, he told me. I saw a Canadian flag hanging from one of the teacher's balconies.
Many students live outside, he said, so I have to do so too, maybe. On the other hand, there is a brand new foreign student building erected right at the East gate, which is nearly finished. Trucks where unloading furniture, so it could be a matter of days or weeks before the students can move in. This could be an opportunity for me. However, this building is meant for students with scholarships, he said. Maybe they expect the rich foreign students who pay for their own tuition to also find their own apartments.
I guess I have to wait until I meet Ms. Wei to really know my fate.

Leaving the campus through the East gate, I walked back around the South-East corner of the campus, an area full of small and large restaurants, juice bars, and boutiques. I also passed what will probably be a bustling night market later on. I noticed a Bank of China branch, as well as a China Construction Bank, the only two who accept European Maestro cards in their ATM's. Good to know they are nearby.
On the square below my building, there is also a good collection of small restaurants (I had lunch there earlier today), as well as a supermarket. If I can't live on campus, I might have to negotiate a better deal for long stay at the hotel, until I find a proper apartment.