Any advice for studying abroad in China for the first time?

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I'm a freshman from a U.S. college that will be studying abroad in Shanghai in the summer. Perhaps I'm ignorant of the climate in Shanghai/China towards blacks, but I can't help but want to know if there's anything I should be wary of or prepare for before I go because of my race. I read in a post written by someone on this forum that it isn't that the Chinese are racist against blacks, it's that they are racist against everyone who isn't Chinese. This is also what I've heard in the media. Since so many of you have been there, I was hoping you would be able to give me some advice.

I have been reading a lot about China for the past few years, but I really only have an outsiders perspective.

Beyond even the race issue, is there anything I should know about going to China in general? I will be there for eight weeks.