Taiwan: The best place to learn Chinese Past Review
By Maxwell K (Political Science; Chinese, University of the Pacific) - abroad from 08/20/2012 to 12/10/2012 with
CIEE: Taipei - Intensive Chinese Language and Culture
I gained good friends, a greater Chinese ability, a chance to live on a beautiful island.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Main Chinese course was incredibly challenging and informative. Others were a bit too easy. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Completely flawless and professional |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
They were of low quality, but I was living with local Taiwanese rather than foreign students, which was a plus. The foreign student dorms were much nicer |
| * Food: |
Both the school food and the nearby restaurants had fantastic food. Taiwan's food is good and cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The issues were more with foreign students than with the Taiwanese. I got with Taiwanese people very well. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health problems. |
| * Safety: |
Taiwan, particularly Taipei, has low crime and I experienced no problems |
| 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? | $50-$70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Enjoy the local culture. Stop going to clubs and drinking. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Writing in Chinese |
| 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? | Make friends with locals. Stay away from other foreign students. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew the schedule in advance. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
