Seeking out the everyday in China Past Review
By Sharmaine O (Econometrics and Quantitative Economics., Tufts University) for
CIEE: Beijing - Advanced Chinese Studies
My time in China was really eye-opening. I went into the program having very neutral expectations of what China was like, I wasn't sure what the education system would be like or what living with a China host family would be. During my time there, I traveled widely in order to seek out different aspects of China- Xi'An, Tianjin, Wuhan, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Qingdao were all very distinct, and culturally, they represented a different China. THe country is HUGE and each place has been shaped by different geographical tensions/needs, shaping the mentality and psyche of the people. One should not conflate Beijing/Shanghai with China, not the CCP with China. Chinese people were hospitable in many ways and speaking to them and finding out their stories was the most memorable part for me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The exams were mainly essay based. Classes at Peking University were once a week, but a long 3 hour session at each go. In classes, the teachers tended to instruct more and class participation was less evident than in US universities, however, the professors in the school of International Relations Department encouraged class presentations. Readings assigned were not followed up much in class and that lessened the work load. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CIEE Beijing has a team of very experienced and earnest mentors. They helped us to settle administrative issues with Peking, advised us on classes and also got to know us on a personal level. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We were given a survey to complete on the type of host family we would prefer prior to the program. However, I found out that the information we provided was not forward to the program administrators in China, as a result, the pairing was random and not as selective. |
| * Food: |
Most foreigners take some time to get used to the saltiness/spicyness of food in China, but it's GREAT once you do. Go slow! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The trip to Hangzhou was especially memorable. We went at the turn of Spring and had a very knowledgeable travel guide take us around! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Beijing is generally a very safe and well-policed city, if you keep to the limits of law, you should be fine. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 35 USD a week allows one to eat pretty well in China. Meals in the dining hall are about 1 USD/ meal and you can get a good meal for about 5 USD. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Train tickets for travel can add up and become quite pricey, one needs to book in advance to ensure availability of seats. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Passed out of Chinese at Tufts |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I spoke Mandarin about 95% of my day. I used it in classes, with my host parents, with the program administrators and with locals! |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Take time to get to know the man on the street, the neighbors of your host family, the man waiting at the bus stop next to you. Talk to the local students- ask them about their hopes, ambitions, goals, they represent the future of a country and can shed much light on where things are heading. It takes time to adjust to a new culture, so don't be frustrated if it takes time, just enjoy the everyday and make many new experiences! |
