A Great Learning Experience Past Review

By (Chinese Studies., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/21/2015 to 05/14/2015 with

IFSA/Alliance: Shanghai - 21st Century City

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
While I learned a lot about Shanghainese culture and improved my Chinese, I also learned that I'm not the biggest fan of the great trend of globalization that has overtaken Shanghai.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Any lack of integration was by my own choice; I know several other students were more integrated.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was never sick enough to need healthcare, but I know several other students who did become sick and were immediately attended to, taken to the english speaking hospital by the administration within a day.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It's very easy to live cheaply in Shanghai. When you can get breakfast for a dollar, lunch for $1.5, and dinner for around the same, it's not hard. However, the bubble teas can add up, and eating western food every night will definitely be a drain on your budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Between 80-150

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Encouraged, but outside of the three hours of class time, not enforced.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? A 400 level course
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Try, try, try to speak with your roommates--both Alliance and Chinese. Any little bit will help.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Language
  • Interesting Classes
* What could be improved?
  • Courses were unevenly difficult
  • Programs should be more integrated
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? nothing

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!