Written by Dr. Jawad Akram — MBBS graduate, MS General Surgery student in China, and founder of Scholarship Navigator. I have been living in China since 2019.
When I first arrived in China as a Pakistani medical student, I had no idea what to truly expect. The official brochures painted a picture of modern campuses and exciting opportunities. The reality? It was all of that — but also so much more complex, challenging, and ultimately rewarding than any brochure could capture.
This is the honest guide I wish I had before I left Pakistan.
The First Week — Culture Shock Is Real
The moment you land in China, everything changes at once. The language, the food, the people, the payment systems, the apps — nothing works the way you are used to. WhatsApp does not load. Google Maps does not work. You cannot read any signs. And everyone around you is speaking Mandarin at full speed.
My honest advice: expect the first 2–4 weeks to be overwhelming. This is completely normal and every single international student goes through it. The students who thrive in China are the ones who embrace the discomfort as part of the process rather than fighting it.
The first things to sort out immediately on arrival:
- ✅ Chinese SIM card — buy from China Mobile or China Unicom at the airport
- ✅ VPN — set this up before you arrive. Download it in Pakistan because you cannot download VPN apps from inside China without one already working
- ✅ Bank account — your university will organize this in the first week. Essential for receiving your stipend and using WeChat Pay
- ✅ Register with local police — required within 24 hours of arrival. Your university will guide you through this
Food — The Halal Question
As a Pakistani Muslim student, food is one of the biggest practical concerns. Here is the honest situation:
In larger cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Urumqi, Lanzhou): halal restaurants are widely available. There are Muslim-majority neighborhoods (Hui communities) in many major cities where you can find excellent halal food including rice dishes, lamb, naan bread, and even familiar Pakistani flavors.
In mid-tier cities (Guilin, Hengyang, Haikou, Chifeng): halal options exist but are fewer and require effort to find. Most Pakistani students in smaller cities cook their own food. The good news — halal grocery stores are findable in most cities, and Pakistani students quickly form cooking communities where everyone takes turns preparing meals.
University canteens — most universities with significant Muslim student populations have a dedicated halal section (清真 — qīngzhēn) in the canteen. Check if your university has this before choosing.
Academics — Medical School in China Is No Joke
MBBS in China is genuinely rigorous. The curriculum follows the Chinese medical education system adapted for English-medium international students. Here is what surprised me most:
The workload is heavy — anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, and pathology in the first two years are extremely content-heavy. Study groups are essential. Do not fall into the trap of relaxing in the first semester.
Clinical years are valuable — Chinese hospitals are massive by international standards. During clinical rotations, you are exposed to patient volumes that you simply would not see in many Western teaching hospitals. The sheer number of cases you observe builds clinical intuition quickly.
Language barrier in clinicals — this is the real challenge nobody warns you about. Patients speak Mandarin. Your professors may teach in English but clinical interactions happen in Chinese. I strongly recommend starting basic Mandarin (HSK 1–2 level) from your first year — even 200–300 words significantly improves your clinical experience.
Social Life — Pakistan and China Are Closer Than You Think
One thing that genuinely surprised me was how warm Chinese people are towards Pakistanis. Pakistan-China friendship runs deep at a people-to-people level — when you say you are from Pakistan, the response is almost always positive. Many Chinese people know the word “巴铁” (Bā tiě) — meaning “Iron Brothers” — the affectionate term for the Pakistan-China relationship.
The Pakistani student community in China is also large and well-organized. Almost every university with international students has a Pakistani Students Association (PSA). These become your family away from home — organizing Eid celebrations, cricket matches, and cultural events that make China feel like a second home over time.
The Great Firewall — Practical Survival Guide
China’s internet censorship (called the Great Firewall) blocks almost everything you rely on in Pakistan:
- ❌ WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter/X — all blocked
- ❌ Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive — all blocked
- ❌ Most foreign news websites — blocked
What you use instead:
- ✅ WeChat — for messaging (all your Chinese contacts use this)
- ✅ Baidu Maps — for navigation
- ✅ Meituan / Eleme — for food delivery
- ✅ Taobao / JD.com — for online shopping
- ✅ VPN — to access all your blocked apps (set up before arrival)
Weather and Climate — Know Before You Go
China is enormous and the climate varies dramatically by region:
- Northern China (Beijing, Chifeng, Harbin): Extremely cold winters — temperatures can drop to -20°C. Bring or buy serious winter clothing. Summers are hot and dry.
- Central China (Wuhan, Hengyang, Changsha): Hot humid summers, cold wet winters. The humidity makes both extremes feel worse than the temperature suggests.
- Southern China (Guangzhou, Guilin, Haikou): Warm year-round. Hainan Island (where Hainan Medical University is) has a tropical climate — the most comfortable for students from Pakistan.
What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before I Came
- Learn 100 words of Mandarin before you arrive — numbers, directions, food words, and basic greetings. It makes the first month 10x easier.
- Set up your VPN in Pakistan — you cannot do it after you land.
- Bring enough Pakistani Rupees to convert — the first week has many expenses (SIM card, bank setup, bedding, supplies) before your stipend arrives.
- Join your university’s Pakistani Students Association immediately — they will help you navigate everything in the first weeks.
- Do not underestimate the academic workload — medical school in China is serious. Build study habits from Week 1.
- China will change you — in the best way. The experience of living in a completely different culture, learning a new language, and building a life from scratch builds a resilience and independence that stays with you forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is China safe for Pakistani students?
Yes — China has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. Pakistani students consistently report feeling safe on and off campus. The police presence is high and petty crime is rare in university areas.
How do Pakistani students celebrate Eid in China?
Every university with a significant Muslim community organizes Eid celebrations. Pakistani Students Associations arrange communal prayers, halal food gatherings, and cultural programs. It is different from home but the community warmth makes it special.
Can I visit Pakistan during my studies?
Yes — Chinese universities typically have winter and summer breaks. Return flights from major Chinese cities to Pakistan are available and reasonably priced. Inform your university before traveling and ensure your residence permit is valid for re-entry.
Is the MBBS degree from China recognized in Pakistan?
Yes — MBBS degrees from PMDC-recognized Chinese universities are accepted in Pakistan. Graduates must pass the PMDC screening examination to register and practice medicine in Pakistan. Our partner universities (Guilin Medical University, University of South China, Hainan Medical University, Chifeng University) are all PMDC recognized.
Thinking About Studying Medicine in China?
I made the decision to come to China for medicine in 2019 and it is one I have never regretted. If you are considering it, I am happy to answer any question personally — not as a consultant but as someone who has lived this experience.
At Scholarship Navigator, we do not just help you get admitted — we prepare you for what comes after. From pre-departure briefings to on-arrival support, we stay with our students through every step of their China journey.
💬 Ask Dr. Jawad Directly on WhatsApp 📧 Start Your China Journey Today