Best Semester of my Life Past Review
By Jason O (Loyola University Chicago) - abroad from 08/11/2014 to 12/19/2008 with
The Beijing Center: Semester and Full Year Abroad
I learned about a whole other culture that I knew very little about and I learned that despite all our differences we are all people who want the same things life, love, family, companionship, safety, etc. I also learned a lot about myself and the challenges that I am able to overcome if I put myself to the test.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
One of the most academically challenging semesters of my undergrad but in a good way! It challenged me to question things and seek out information for myself and made me a much better student and person as a result. Also despite being a lot of work it wasn't so much work that it prevented me having free time as I still had plenty of time to go out and explore the amazing city of Beijing. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff are very helpful and always willing to go the extra mile to help resolve any issues you have going on. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Real Chinese food is amazing and I miss it all the time! There was also an opportunity to take a cooking class and I will have those memories and skills with me forever! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You have to make a lot of extra effort to make Chinese friends. The tutor program is great but I wish there were more opportunities to meeting Chinese students. |
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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
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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) |
Living expenses are very affordable in China! You are able to eat for very very cheap on campus and even the restaurants off campus are not expensive either. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eating on campus will save you a ton of money! Also eat real Chinese food instead of fast food or western food and you will save a ton of money! |
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 |
TBC makes language learning fun and easy by giving you a private Tutor and intensive language classes. |
| 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 Beginner Level |
| 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? | Hang out with Chinese students like your tutor or a Chinese roommate so that you can practice more. Go to shops by yourself so you can practice without the crutch of having a friend that speaks the language better than you! Chinese are very helpful when they see you are making an effort to learn! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Don't spend all your time hanging out with other Americans! Challenge yourself to go out and meet new people and it will be well worth it! |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
