Amazing Spring Semester in Shanghai Past Review
By Robin T (BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES., Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/12/2016 to 06/04/2016 with
IFSA/Alliance: Shanghai - International Business in China
My Chinese improved immensely. I learned a lot about myself and China. Made a lot of good friends.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes are not tough, but the teachers are really interesting and you end up learning a lot about China by the end of the semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
You are given an American roommate and a Chinese roommate, which is an awesome living arrangement. My Chinese roommate was extremely helpful with getting adjusted to life in China. |
| * Food: |
The food in Shanghai is amazing! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I got to meet Chinese people all around Shanghai and on all of my trips all around China. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Administration was very helpful in making hospital appointments if necessary. |
| * Safety: |
I always felt very safe in China. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
You could live off of about $10-$15 a day if you want to stay on a budget. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
Using Chinese was always encouraged, but not mandatory. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Chinese 105, 5 semesters |
| 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? | Make at least one trip to a city where very little english is spoken. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | China is very different from the United States. |
