Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

a life lesson Past Review

By (Chinese and Art History, Trinity University) - abroad from 06/13/2012 to 08/13/2012 with

IFSA/Alliance: Shanghai - Intensive Chinese Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes. I learned more about myself and different cultures than I ever felt possible.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Classes were taken at Fudan University sponsored through Arcadia
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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? $150-200 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? find the good small local restaurants and become a regular. But overall China is pretty affordable.

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? level 400 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? bargain, talk to locals, use it when shopping and eating and using taxis, do some self travel and speak to locals as you go,

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* 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 freedom to travel and be independent in a foreign country
  • The cities and parts of town we were exposed to and living in were amazing
  • The paid weekend of travel
* What could be improved?
  • I would have preferred a dorm to a hotel
  • our director did not seem to know their way around Shanghai, we were often left to our own devices
  • more paid for meals
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have researched climate more and packed more than I did. I also wish I would have been more prepared for the effects that living abroad would have on my life back home.