Dear students,

The winter break is a perfect time to relax, explore new places, and spend quality time with family and friends. While enjoying your holiday, please remain vigilant and stay safe. Below are some essential tips.

Travel safety

1. Safeguard your visa, residence permit, and other important documents. For urgent visa issues, contact the police and your school immediately.

2. Do not use unlicensed transportation, such as cars or boats operated by unlicensed individuals.

3. When walking at night, maintain a safe distance from vehicles to prevent accidents.

4. Check weather forecast before traveling, particularly for extreme winter conditions such as blizzards, and prepare accordingly.

Protecting your property

1. Do not fall for phone scams, lottery messages, or fraudulent money transfer requests.

2. Stay alert in crowded places like public areas, tourist attractions, and shopping centers to protect your belongings.

3. Lock your doors even if just stepping out briefly or taking a nap. Do not keep large amounts of cash in your room.

4. Avoid sharing your travel plans or addresses on social media to prevent exploitation by criminals.

Fire safety

1. Ensure heating devices meet safety standards and are kept away from flammable materials.

2. Stay alert when cooking and do not leave it unattended to prevent fires caused by spills or burnouts.

3. Do not store or use explosive or highly corrosive materials.

4. Avoid using elevators to transport electric bikes.

5. Prevent overloading power sockets, extension cords, and power strips.

6. Turn off all electrical appliances before leaving your residence.

Alcohol use

1. Avoid excessive drinking at parties and do not encourage others to drink, to prevent accidents.

2. Avoid causing disturbances or driving under the influence of alcohol.

Say no to drugs

In China, illegal drugs include opium, heroin, methamphetamine (ice), morphine, marijuana, cocaine, and other controlled substances. Testing positive for such drugs within China is punishable by law, even if the drug use occurred in a different country.

1. Avoid high-risk places where drug transactions and use may occur, such as certain bars, nightclubs, and parties. If you must go, stay with trusted friends and remain alert.

2. Firmly refuse any drugs offered by anyone, including friends or acquaintances. Do not try drugs out of curiosity or social pressure.

3. If you or your friend struggles with drug use, seek help immediately. Contact your school's mental health center or the local police for support.

Work legally

International students' employment and internships in China are strictly regulated by law. Understand and comply with these regulations to avoid legal penalties:

1. Do not trust agencies or individuals claiming to offer high-paying part-time jobs, especially those requiring upfront payment from you.

2. When participating in legal work-study activities, keep all relevant contracts, pay slips, and work records for future reference.

Mental health

1. Stay in touch with family and friends during the holiday, share your feelings and experiences, and try to avoid prolonged isolation.

2. Plan your holiday time reasonably, schedule appropriate activities, and maintain a healthy lifestyle and positive attitude.

3. If you experience persistent anxiety, depression, or stress, do not ignore these signals. Relieve stress through exercise, meditation, or artistic activities.

4. If mental health issues severely impact your daily life, seek professional help promptly. Your school's mental health center, hospital psychiatric departments, or professional counseling agencies can provide support.

If you encounter any problems, contact your school's international student office or local emergency services. We wish you a safe, joyful and memorable holiday!

 

Sources: Official WeChat account of ECUST College of International Education at "ies_students", and Official WeChat account of SISU Office of International Student Affairs at "Study_in_SISU"