Shanghai: an Exciting Adventuresome Home Past Review

By (International Studies and Psychology, Hope College) for

CIEE: Shanghai - China in a Global Context

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, it was very worthwhile! I learned about other cultures and my own and made very valuable friends. I learned how to be a respectful traveler. I also have decided I want to work in China for a couple years to get to know this new country that I really loved being in.

Review Photos

CIEE: Shanghai - China in a Global Context Photo CIEE: Shanghai - China in a Global Context Photo CIEE: Shanghai - China in a Global Context Photo CIEE: Shanghai - China in a Global Context Photo CIEE: Shanghai - China in a Global Context Photo

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

If I ever had a problem, I was always able to ask a number of professors and administrators. They were always helpful and worked hard to help us adjust to the culture and language. Many of the professors who were Chinese had also taught in American schools or at least had knowledge of American students. However, the Chinese language professors were a little more inexperienced and did not know much about America besides general stereotypes. It was kind of nice to have that experience with professors who expected us to act Chinese, though.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

A very safe neighborhood, one of the nicer ones in the Putuo district. I lived on the 29th floor of an apartment building, and that wasn't even the top floor! It was a half hour walk to some classes, and about a 40 minute walk to Chinese class. It was very close to a subway station, which could take me anywhere. It was about 30 minutes to the student dorms to see my friends, and from there we were able to take cabs to various bars, dance clubs, and karaoke places in Shanghai, which has a very thriving nightlife. I didn't have to buy sheets or cookware, all of that was taken care of by my host family. I was treated as a member of the family by my host family, although my host father treated me more like a guest because he was often gone for business and therefore didn't get to know me very well. However, my host mom became a very good friend of mine and I was very attached to her five-year-old daughter.

* Food:

A lot of the food in China is very different from what we eat in America. At first, some of the things were shocking, but eventually you get used to it. I would encourage students to try many different foods and to never go to Western-food restaurants because you can always get that when you go home. Food is a huge part of the culture in China, and some of my fellow students missed out on that experience because they were too afraid to try new things.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Trip to Guanxi

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

There is not a lot of crime, but crossing the road is pretty dangerous. Also, you will probably get sick because you are not used to the germs. You must get vaccinated. I think you need Typhoid and maybe Tuberculosis.

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? Bargain!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

I could practice the language with nearly everyone around me. I spoke Chinese to my host sister, host father, and other relatives, as well as to students, both Chinese and other. I most certainly needed to use the host country language in everyday interactions. Many of the American students spoke English to one another, and my core classes were in English, but we were required to speak to our professors in Chinese outside of the classroom.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans