China: Great experience, yet challenging Past Review
By Lindsey W (International Business/Chinese, Trinity University) for
Beijing Foreign Studies University: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes it was definitely worthwhile. My Chinese language skill sky rocketed, and this made me want to return to China and find a job after graduation.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I love China and this experience made me want to return. Although there was a lot of work, I enjoyed being in the program and the people were great. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very organized and knowledgable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
if you are a vegetarian, Chinese people don't really understand, so you must order foods that you know do not have any meat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I liked our two week long trip we took to Yunnan. Had great experiences and learned a lot. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt pretty safe in Beijing. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I probably spent $100 a week, depending on how often I went out. Food is really cheap there. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | don't go out to a fancy dinner every night |
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 had to live with a Chinese student enrolled in the University and we were required to speak Chinese 24/7. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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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? | study for your daily quizzes |
