China: Somewhere to Return to Past Review
By Kyra C (Art, University of Evansville) for
KIIS: Traveling - Experience China (Summer)
I gained new friendships, began to acquire a new language, and experienced many cultural elements different than those I'd been familiar with. After this trip I have found it even more easy to relate with foreign exchange students at my home campus. I feel even more like pursuing a career in teaching english as a new language abroad.
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. |
The workload was manageable for the short time period the trip lasted: there were essays, both short and longer, as well as quizzes and an exam. Teaching methods were communicative rather than mechanical, so discussion, speaking, listening, reading, and writing were all involved. There were not substantial differences in the education system in comparison to the American educational system. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program size was an advantage on this trip. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
China is a destination I do not recommended for vegetarians. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Visiting the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Emperor Qin's Terracotta Army, the Bund, the Oriental Pearl Tower, and many more. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
My host city, Changsha (Hunan Province) was very safe. I was fortunate enough not to have any experiences with healthcare while there, but a friend of mine accidentally cut open his hand and received good hospital treatment. In fact, as a precaution, he was kept in a hospital over night even though the hospital staff had already applied disinfectant, cleaned his wound, and gave him stitches. Bring Mosquito repellent especially in the summer months. |
| 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) |
|
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
|
| Language acquisition improvement? |
We practiced our new language skills with our professor, with our other classmates, and with the locals we met outside of class. It is not always necessary, but I recommend using the host country's language in everyday interactions. Most people did not speak english, but sometimes you could demonstrate what you wanted or needed assistance with through gestures and facial expressions. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
