All language all the time. Past Review
By A student (Linguistics., Cornell University) - abroad from 01/10/2012 to 04/24/2012 with
Hamilton College: Beijing - ACC Intensive Language Program at Minzu University
A significant increase in my language ability with Mandarin, definitely worthwhile.
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. |
Very academically intense, sometimes perhaps a bit too intense. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There were some administrative issues, but overall they take care of students very well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The rooms are huge and quite nice, but things often fall apart and the university housing maintenance people are very slow to respond. |
| * Food: |
The local Beijing food is fabulous, but you have to search out the best places (and there is little to no English in the area, so if you only speak English your options are VERY limited). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had host families that we met up with on the weekends (but didn't live with), there were organized cultural activities every week. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had to go to the hospital to get antibiotics for bronchitis, the program sent someone with me to make sure I did everything I needed to do. Only down side was waiting for 3 or so hours to see a doctor, but once I saw her everything went well. |
| * Safety: |
Beijing is quite safe, especially if you stay out of trouble in the bar-scene areas. |
| 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) |
Food is very inexpensive there. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 2 American dollars per meal, so around $50 per week on food, other expensive might add up to $100 per week, probably less. |
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 |
Language pledge. |
| 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? | 300 level course. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go out and talk to the locals! |
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? | More about what the living situation would be like/what to bring. |
