An eye opening trip to China Past Review
By Dillon Guillory (Xavier University of Louisiana) - abroad from 05/15/2017 to 05/29/2017 with
Hebei Normal University: Shijiazhuang - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned there’s a lot about the world I don’t know and that to grow as a person means to see yourself in others. I also learned that even though we all come from different walks of life we are a lot more similar than different and the richness of each culture can only be truly appreciated once you experience it. If I had to summarize, yes, it was worthwhile.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
We got to experience a lot of the local amenities in the safety of a group, learn a staggering amount about the culture and people of the country by getting to meet and interact with them, and our guide and teacher were accommodating and 100% in promoting our enjoyment and safety during the trip! |
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? | Everything was directly provided by the program, anything beyond that for recreation we paid for |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Mandarin 2010 |
| 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? | Do it as often as possible and do your best to speak with those experienced in the language |
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? | Knowing at least some of the language is a valuable asset before visiting because people will be a lot more eager to interact with you and you have a lot more autonomy by being able to communicate. |
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.' |
