A Summer for the Ages Past Review
By kendall.brice.39 (Computer Science, South Carolina State University) - abroad from 06/01/2013 to 07/07/2013 with
CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Shanghai, China
This experience gave me a basic understanding of the Chinese culture and language. I now have greater respect and appreciation for the experiences that different cultures offer. Being in a new place helped me venture out of my comfort zone and build my self-confidence. It was the best 5-weeks of my life. I do not regret a minute of it! I'm just counting the time until I get the opportunity to go abroad again.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Chinese course was difficult and intense but extremely effective. I learned so much more than I expected. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
On-Site administration is always there to give assistance. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Being housed in an international dormitory on campus, gave us the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world. Rooms are very spacious compared to Chinese standards. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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? | Eat at local restaurants. They are way less expensive the American restaurants. |
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 |
Language use was sternly encouraged, but not as strictly enforced like some other programs. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Don't be too shy, and try to interact with the local students and people. Also, do not stay within the comforts of your (English-speaking) group too often. |
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? | I wish I would've known what my daily schedules would be like. If there was one thing I could've done better, it was using my free time to explore. |
