5 Months in Shanghai with the Education Abroad Network Past Review

By (International Business/Finance, University of South Carolina - Columbia) - abroad from 02/14/2012 to 07/07/2012 with

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Shanghai - Fudan University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about the culture while I was over there, and my language skills got better as well. The whole experience abroad definitely helped me grow as a person. My experience studying abroad was the greatest experience of my life. If I could do it over again I would take that opportunity in a heartbeat.

Review Photos

The Education Abroad Network: Shanghai - Fudan University Photo The Education Abroad Network: Shanghai - Fudan University Photo The Education Abroad Network: Shanghai - Fudan University Photo

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?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Try to stick with eating Chinese food over Western food, because it's cheaper

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Intermediate Chinese
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? Find a chinese speaking partner that you can talk to in Chinese

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

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I really liked the trip to Inner Mongolia. It was one of the main reasons I chose the program, and I loved every second of the trip.
* What could be improved?
  • The Shanghai program director could have been a little more helpful
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known to bring more makeup and hair stuff from home because they didn't have much over in China, or it was very different.