They could do better. Past Review

By (University of California - Los Angeles / UCLA) - abroad from 06/26/2017 to 08/18/2017 with

Go Abroad China : Internship in China Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I loved Shanghai just not GAC

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Though I enjoyed my time in China, it was no thanks to this company. The only good part about booking through GAC was Robert, the guide who helped me while abroad. Other than that, the company overexaggerates how much they do. It says the price includes visa assistance, sim card, transportation, etc. ,but in reality, they do nothing to help with your visa (and you still have to pay for that on your own), they only pay for 1/3 of the price of the sim, and they cover transportation for a week, and no more. They did pick me up from the airport but apparently taking me back for when I go home was not included. For how much I paid, I expected more from this company, but communication was horrible when I was trying to get everything straightened out. I do not reccomend GAC.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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? No

Though I enjoyed my time in China, it was no thanks to this company. The only good part about booking through GAC was Robert, the guide who helped me while abroad. Other than that, the company overexaggerates how much they do. It says the price includes visa assistance, sim card, transportation, etc. ,but in reality, they do nothing to help with your visa (and you still have to pay for that on your own), they only pay for 1/3 of the price of the sim, and they cover transportation for a week, and no more. They did pick me up from the airport but apparently taking me back for when I go home was not included. For how much I paid, I expected more from this company, but communication was horrible when I was trying to get everything straightened out. I do not reccomend GAC.

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)

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

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? 0

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • location
* What could be improved?
  • everything else
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That they would not fulfill their promises.