Researching Chinese and American banks in Dongguan, China Past Review

By (Business Strategy, Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/13/2013 to 07/09/2013 with

Brigham Young University: Various - Individual Experience Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned tons about the Chinese banking system, but I was also able to learn about the local culture and about networking with BYU's alumni

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Super great learning experience, but my internship manager didn't have a ton of work for me to do.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Great! and super cheap

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

In China, white guys stick out, no matter what they do

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I didn't have any health issues

* Safety:

China is really safe. Only need to watch out for thieves and pickpockets

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)

Everything in China is relatively inexpensive

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't exchange your money in the airport. The rates are much better elsewhere

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Chinese 302
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? Talk to as many native speakers as you can

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Friendships made
  • Knowledge gained
  • Places visited
* What could be improved?
  • Clarified expectations of what I would be doing
  • Have more structure to the experience
  • Small projects to learn lots while maintaining good energy
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That living all alone isn't as fun as it sounds. Carefully consider this if you expect you will be living alone. It can be rather long sometimes.