China: Awesome! Past Review
By Brian S (Chinese Studies., Trinity University) for
Beijing Foreign Studies University: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Will definitely want to work and live in China in the future. If not permanently, for a long time. It is hard being away from home sometimes, but totally worth it! If you want to test yourself and learn about yourself, go to China!
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Often feel as if I learned more in my year in China than in any other academic year. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
All depends on personal taste, but everyone can find something. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The two week long trips were highlights of the year if not my entire life. I may never get another opportunity to drink yak milk in a Tibetan village or pick bananas along the Vietnam-China border. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Never had to visit the hospital. |
| 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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Food is cheap, but clothing is not. High quality clothing at least. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Studying language is what you yourself make of it. Any speaking rules are easy to get around and your progress is ultimately up to you. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The student who does not mind being in uncomfortable and unfamiliar situations. China is not like Europe and should not be confused as such. You go to find out about yourself and learn. You need to be motivated and determined to learn the language and enjoy the culture. You will forever be an outsider, but that doesn't mean you have to be an observer. |
