Summer at Nankai Past Review
By celesi (Linguistics., University of Oregon) - abroad from 07/13/2012 to 08/11/2012 with
INTO China - Tianjin: Nankai University
It was a valuable experience
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Class is very intense, expect to study in the evenings |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Think about your luggage, and make sure you can carry it up multiple flights of stairs. Also expect a week wait for internet access. Otherwise, nice rooms. |
| * Food: |
Food on campus is hit or miss, but be sure to talk to mentors and find the best places to eat on and near campus. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
If you're willing to go out, and practice your Chinese, you will have great experiences. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Be vocal when INTO or university staff are talking to health care staff. I ended up with pills for a different illness than the one I had. |
| * Safety: |
|
| 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) |
Very easy to maintain the budget, getting money may be difficult with traveler's checks or debit cards. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Talk to mentors for best places to eat and shop. They will know the best places. |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 102 |
| 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? | Practice! Your mentors are happy to talk to you, and help you. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | What you learn in language textbooks rarely reflects what is spoken. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
