Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Great experience Past Review

By (Political Science and Government., Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/26/2012 to 12/06/2013 with

IFSA/Alliance: Shanghai - 21st Century City

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained so much knowledge on a culture that I hadn't previously experienced. I learned a lot of Mandarin and I met some amazing people. It was very worthwhile.

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

The people who ran our program were incredibly unorganized. The most notable portion of their lack of structure resulting in vast miscommunication between the program's administrators and the actual professors.

* 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? 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I can't even imagine. I spent a lot- however, I was electing to be in those restaurants. A person could certainly live on a tight budget.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't go to the Bund to eat on the weekends.

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? Beginner
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? I had been tutored to pass out of 100 and into 101
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? Speak with the locals!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The language teachers
* What could be improved?
  • The administration: organization, people
  • The professors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the people who ran it were incredibly poorly organized and that we were NOT actually part of Fudan University.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.