International Student ID Cards

give access to a world of discounts By Song Yuanyuan When a German tourist lost his wallet in Beijing, police managed to track down the owner by the only form of identification within: an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), with an emer-gency help hotline printed on the back. As related on BTV's Law Online program, this occurred in Beijing during the Olympics, at a time when ISICs were carried by very few in China. In fact, it took police quite a while to figure out what the card was: an ID card offering discounts on bus, train and air tickets, as well as for stores, hostels and restaurants. International Teacher Identity Cards (ITIC) and International Youth Travel Cards (IYTC) are also part of the series under the International Student Identity Card Association. "ISIC isn't as precious as your passport, so many people like carrying this convenient little card in their wallets as an identification card," said Erica Xue, director of ISIC China's Head Office in Beijing. For Chinese going abroad to study or young people who love overseas travel, getting an ISIC or IYTC seems quite necessary. "Many of the applicants are Chinese who are going abroad to study or travel in the US and Europe," Xue added. Hou Yujia, now working for China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company, is an enthusiastic tourist. "I have quite a few friends studying in Europe who advised me to get an IYTC before I traveled there," she said. "It saved me quite an amount when I was traveling by myself by train, about 20 percent off," she said. Tian Lijuan got one when she returned to Beijing from Sweden during her summer break in 2008. "My first semester was pretty much spent in schools, but I was starting to take trips in Europe, and this card saved me quite a lot on accommodation and tourist sites," Tian said. Xue told Lifestyle that they are trying to find more partners that can offer discounts for the card holders in Beijing, especially the areas frequented by expatriates, such as Sanlitun and Nanluoguxiang. Online applications launched on May 1, 2009; before that, people had to apply in person. For more information, visit www.isic.cc/apply. Applications take within one week to process, or you can pay a 10-yuan charge for expedited one-day service. ISIC Applicants: All full-day students 12-years-old or above, including college, overseas or full time stu-dents on 12-week-long short-term courses. Valid dates: Apply after September for a card valid through the end of next year; apply before Sep-tember for a card valid through the end of this year. For the longest validity period, apply on September 1. Application fee: 85 yuan in person, 95 yuan online. IYTC Applicants: Anyone under the age of 25. Valid dates: One year after the application date. Application fee: 100 yuan in person, 110 yuan online. ITIC Applicants: All teachers and professors working in registered full-day education organizations, schools, colleges and universities (working at least 18 hours a week). Valid dates: Same as for the ISIC card. Application fee: 100 yuan in person, 110 yuan online. Current ISIC partners Passby Bar Address: No. 108/114 courtyard house, Nanluoguoxiang, Dongcheng district 东城区交道口南&179;鼓巷108/114号四合院 Tel: 8403-8004 Fengnian Earthenware Address: No. 111 Jia, Nanluoguoxiang, Dongcheng district 东城区南&179;鼓巷甲111号 Tel: 6407-1899 Broadway Cinemas, Xindong'an Address: Sixth floor of Xindong'an Mall, No. 138 Wangfujing Street, Dongcheng district 王府井大街138号新东安商场六层 Tel: 6528-1898, 6528-1838

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