Shanghai, China: Awesome City Past Review

By (International Business/Chinese, Trinity University) for

IFSA/Alliance: Shanghai - International Business in China

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was definitely worthwhile, I learned a lot about the culture and the language.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes at Trinity were definitely more difficult than the ones here

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

A little unorganized at times

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Very accommodating

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Went to Hong Kong and Macau for a week. that was fun

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I ran outside in Shanghai for 30 minutes and had to be taken to the hospital because the pollution was so bad I got bacteria in my throat and couldn't breath. Excercise inside.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100-200 per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Pre-game before going to bars. Drinks are kind of expensive

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
Language acquisition improvement?

We were required to live with a Chinese roommate, but she never spoke Chinese with me, only English. She did help me if I had any questions.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
* What could be improved?
  • The organization of the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? A little unorganized, but manageable.