Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

How to be an International Student in an International City Past Review

By (Clark University - Worcester) - abroad from 02/11/2013 to 06/04/2013 with

CET Shanghai

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to live in another culture very different from my own, become more independent, and how to live in a city. It was completely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? approximately $50 (American)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't keep changing the money in your head. Stick to what the country's monetary system is. Listen to the locals; if they think something is too expensive, then it probably is. Learn how to bargain.

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Chinese 103
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? Keep speaking the language. If your roommate/host family wants to speak English to you, speak the language back to them. They'll understand and eventually learn that you only want to speak in the foreign language.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • making American/Chinese friends
  • getting better at the language
  • learning about international economics
* What could be improved?
  • less academic rigor could help improve more cultural understanding
  • maybe do tours of the city, just with the students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How intense the academic rigor is

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.