What the China? Past Review

By (Plan Ii, The University of Texas at Austin) for

CET Shanghai

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think my language abilities jumped up so far it made all the craziness worthwhile. I also made a lasting bond with my roommate and will never forget the people I met and friendships I made there.

Review Photos

CET Academic Programs: Shanghai  -  Chinese Studies and Internship Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Though the workload is tough, and you won't sleep, you will get a lot out of the experience--your language will improve and you'll make some fast friends.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I thought all of the faculty was extremely enthusiastic. They were always eager to help, and were quite strict on their rules. However, communication could be an issue sometimes--we would get emails hours before they were applicable, sometimes with deadlines included.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our dorm was right next to class and the subway, my roommate was amazing, and sheets and things were provided for us.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Our program arranged a fantastic field trip to Wenzhou, it was exhausting, but in three days we went to the beach, a Daoist temple on a mountain top, and a series of natural pools and waterfalls.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Don't eat too much street food! It's okay every once in awhile, but sometimes it can make you really sick (like no moving for a week sick). I never went to a doctor there, but I heard it wasn't easy and was quite expensive. I didn't need any vaccines (but I've been there and possibly had them before so don't listen to me).

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I really wish I knew our food wouldn't be taken care of. My last program (a maymester through UT) had put money on our cafeteria card, and I expected the same. However, the program pays for only housing, water, internet, and classes.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Chinese 412L
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I practiced with my roommate every day (she wasn't supposed to speak English with me). No, most people did not speak English, I spoke Chinese with almost all of my local interactions.

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

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Get started on your caffeine addiction now, and bring lots of UTexas stuff for the roommates.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Advanced-Intermediate Chinese

Course Department: Chinese 300
Instructor: Xu Xiaoyuan
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: Extremely rigorous, but the teacher was knowledgeable, and overall quite patient.
Credit Transfer Issues: I haven't done credit transfer yet.
Course Name/Rating:

History of Modern Shanghai

Course Department: none
Instructor: Maura Cunningham
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This professor really knew her subject. The class was interesting and engaging and I would take it again without credit in a heartbeat.
Credit Transfer Issues: Not yet!
Course Name/Rating:

Internship

Course Department: none
Instructor: none
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Valuable in work experiences, most definitely.
Credit Transfer Issues: Haven't transferred yet.