Entertainment, Apps, and Staying Connected
Essential apps every student needs, how to stay connected with China, entertainment options, and managing your digital life in the US.
Last updated: March 1, 2026
Setting up your digital life in the US means downloading new apps, finding replacements for Chinese services, and figuring out how to stay connected with home. Here's everything you need.
Essential apps for daily life
Must-Have Apps
Navigation, public transit directions, restaurant reviews, business hours. The #1 most useful app in the US.
How Americans send money to each other. Splitting bills, paying rent to roommates, buying things from people. Like WeChat Pay but for the US.
Ride-hailing apps. Essential when you don't have a car.
Food delivery. Expensive with fees and tips, but useful in bad weather or late nights.
American students use these for class group chats and club communication. You'll be added to some during orientation.
Staying connected with China
- WeChat — still essential for family and Chinese friend groups. Works fine in the US.
- VPN — you'll need one to access some Chinese websites and apps (Bilibili, certain banking apps). Popular options: Astrill, ExpressVPN, Surfshark.
- Video calls — WeChat video, FaceTime, or Zoom. Schedule regular times with family considering the 12-16 hour time difference.
- Xiaohongshu (小红书) — great for finding Chinese student tips, restaurant reviews, and lifestyle content specific to your US city.
- Chinese streaming — Bilibili, iQIYI, and Youku work in the US (some content may be region-locked; a VPN to China can help).
💡The time difference with China is 12-16 hours depending on your US time zone. A good overlap window: your morning (8-10 AM) is their evening (8-10 PM). Set a weekly video call time with family.
Entertainment and things to do
- Streaming — Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max. Student bundles available. Spotify/Apple Music for music ($5.99/month student plan).
- Campus events — free concerts, movie nights, game days, cultural festivals. Check your school's events calendar weekly.
- Outdoor activities — hiking, biking, parks are free. The US has incredible national and state parks. Many offer free admission for students.
- Libraries — free books, movies, museum passes, and even free streaming services through your local public library card (get one — it's free!).
- Sports — college sports are a huge part of campus culture. Football and basketball games are exciting social events (often free with student ID).
- Museums and attractions — many offer free or discounted student admission. Some have free days monthly.
Managing subscriptions
Subscriptions add up fast in the US. Keep track of what you're paying for:
- Always sign up for student pricing when available
- Share family plans with friends — Spotify, YouTube Premium, and Apple Music allow 5-6 users
- Free trials — set a reminder to cancel before they charge you
- Your school may provide free access to: New York Times, Wall Street Journal, LinkedIn Learning, Headspace
- Use your school email (.edu) for sign-ups — it often unlocks student pricing automatically
Mailing and packages
- Amazon delivers to most addresses; on-campus mailrooms accept packages too
- USPS, UPS, and FedEx are the three main carriers. Amazon has its own delivery service.
- Need a PO Box? Your school mailroom probably assigns you one for free.
- Sending packages to China: USPS is cheapest for small items, DHL/FedEx for speed. Expect $30-60 for a small box.
- Receiving packages from China: shipping takes 2-4 weeks for standard, 5-10 days for express. Customs may add delays.
💡Amazon Locker is a great option if you're worried about package theft. Packages are delivered to a secure locker at a nearby location (often at Whole Foods or convenience stores) and you pick them up with a code.
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