Amazing Opportunity! Past Review

By (Global Studies, Loyola University Maryland) - abroad from 08/11/2014 to 08/17/2014 with

The Beijing Center: Semester and Full Year Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
A great opportunity to experience something new with a support system. Definitely worthwhile.

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.

Brillant professors

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was great but if I could go back and do it again I definitely would have opted to have a Chinese Roommate!

* Food:

So many restaurants around campus, even a few western ones too!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The hospital is not far and everyone speaks English. Its super clean and a very easy process - they even do direct billing for TBC students, so you only need your insurance card and no cash.

* 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 live on a student budget unless you expect to continue to eat and live like a foreigner. If you want imported foods this will be more expensive than it would at home. However, if you want to fully immerse yourself and live like a local its much cheaper than at home.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100-150 USD

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • Excursions
* What could be improved?
  • Moreday trips/excursions business focused
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Opt for a Chinese Roommate!

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 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.