The present day Jilin University was created in the 1980s from a group of separate universities spread around the city. This consolidation process turned the university into China's largest, and has meant that it is spread across several large campuses.
Most foreign students are based at the ultra-modern Nanhu or Nanxiao campuses, however participants studying undergraduate or graduate programmes together with Chinese students may find themselves located on a different campus. These campuses are both based in the suburbs of Changchun, 30 - 45 minutes by bus from the centre of town. Dormitories on campus are quite new and close to the respective foreign student teaching buildings.
There are more foreign students studying at Jilin University than at any other university in northeast China outside of Beijing. These include a large group from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal that study Western Medicine.
The standard of the facilities provided for international students is excellent. Gyms, sports centres, libraries, coffee shops, internet cafes etc. are all within easy walking distance of the international students dormitories. There is also a huge Wal-Mart store across the road from the Nanhu campus and a Carrefour Hypermarket close to the Nanxiao campus.