Unforgettable Summer in Shanghai Past Review
By Ebony A (Berea College) - abroad from 06/17/2013 to 07/17/2014 with
CISabroad (Center for International Studies): Reviews from Former Locations
The people are all different and their reaction to our culture and habits are almost as funny as our reaction to theirs. Yes.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The mandarin class was really fun, but really hard. The International Business courses were great! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Awesome! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Beds were hard, but it wasnt terrible living. |
| * Food: |
You will find food that you hate and love in China. They cook everything! I stuck with trying many different kinds of chicken dishes. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went out and explored daily. (wasnt associated with CISAbroad) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I wasnt out all night but when I was I felt pretty safe. Always be with someone else at night! |
| 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) |
It is very easy to spend money at the shops because everything is cheap, but you can easily run out if you dont pay attention to what you are buying. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't spend your money on fake merchandise like Beats or ipads. They wont last long. They do make good gifts though. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk to people as much as possible. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | The metro in China is a terrible terrible place! |
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.' |
