Summer Chinese Language in Beijing Past Review

By (Texas State University-San Marcos) - abroad from 06/08/2015 to 07/31/2015 with

Go Abroad China : Internship in China Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, I was always curious about China and had started slowly learning Chinese back home. So going to Beijing was a great opportunity for me

Review Photos

Go Abroad China: Beijing and Shanghai - Internships in China with Fortune 500 companies Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

short term course, the classes were very intensive.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I hardly had any administration problems because I got help with my application and registration at BLCU

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Beijing is a great city to explore, culturally, entertainment etc

* 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

I like learning Chinese and look forward to possibly visiting China again if I can

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)

rent was a bit costly, but eating at the university canteen or smaller restaurants on campus was very affordable

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Western food restaurants are kind of overpriced, if you can cook then a couple of times a week it might save you lots.

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

we were told to always speak Chinese in class

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
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? its fun if you practice together with your classmates and friends rather than going off by yourself

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • saves time, getting help with registering and getting acquainted with Beijing
  • had great classmates and met new people learning Chinese just like me
* What could be improved?
  • communication even when the program is in progress
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? to bring my Chinese-English dictionary, my phone one was a bit problematic when I tried using it in China