LOVED IT!!! TEACHERS ARE YOUR BEST FRIENDS THERE! Past Review

By (Chinese, Marketing, The College of William and Mary) - abroad from 01/10/2013 to 05/01/2013 with

China Studies Institute: Beijing - Peking University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I LOVE CHINA. People and strangers there are so nice, but especially the teachers. They took interest in my personal life and career opportunities. Many occasions they would invite us or come over to cook or go out to eat, very personable experience. VERY 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? $20 US

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 201
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? get out and talk to people!!!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
* 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?
  • TEACHERS ARE SO FRIENDLY
  • Immersive experience
  • 2 week long study travel trip at end of semester - UNBELIEVABLE
* What could be improved?
  • Too busy with classes
  • More free time for travel
  • More free time for extracurricular activities / just going out and doing stuff there
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The classes are important, but so is going out and meeting friends and random people, doing stuff around the city and country. BUT STILL I LOVED THE PROGRAM!

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'