Meeting my panda soulmates on the Great Wall of China. Past Review

By (Taxation, California State University - Fullerton) - abroad from 05/18/2014 to 05/30/2014 with

International Business Seminars: Summer China

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It made me more confident, more culturally aware and has me counting down to my next international trip. China was mind blowing!

Review Photos

International Business Seminars / IBS: Summer China Photo International Business Seminars / IBS: Summer China Photo International Business Seminars / IBS: Summer China Photo International Business Seminars / IBS: Summer China Photo International Business Seminars / IBS: Summer China Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Learned so much about international business, and what you need to know to break into the Chinese market.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everything was well organized, always had great tour guides and got where we needed to go.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The hotels were great! RIght in the middle of everything so we could walk and take in all the culture around us.

* Food:

Came home with impeccable chop stick skills. I wanted to try everything. Some of it was awesome (Beijing Hotpot) and others weren't (jellyfish), but it was all an adventure.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

People tried their best to speak with us, and for the most part were friendly. We were careful to avoid any bad taxis or tea ceremony scams.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Someone in our group got a bad infection in his eye and was rushed to the hospital. He said it was like having a private doctor and they treated him very well.

* Safety:

Our hosts were always making sure we had directions and knew where we were going, and what to look out for. We also traveled quiet often with our guides, so we always felt very safe. China itself felt very safe, as compared to Europe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

With the currency exchange, I did very well. Was able to buy any souvenirs I wanted. China is a cheap place to visit!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 200

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The Great Wall
  • Meeting amazing people
  • Food adventures
* What could be improved?
  • Breakfast at the Salvo Shanghai
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Nothing, I loved discovering everything. Though I might learn some Chinese before I go again! :)

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.