Beijing is Home. Past Review
By Michaela Maginn (Xavier University) - abroad from 08/12/2017 to 12/16/2017 with
The Beijing Center: Semester and Full Year Abroad
I learned that I was a lot stronger as a person than I gave myself credit for. I now know that I can travel to a country and not know anyone and barely know the language and can survive and thrive in an unknown environment.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I enjoyed the program! The Silk Road was my favorite part! The staff was always willing to help and go above and beyond to make sure you feel comfortable! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff was readily available at any time for answering questions, giving advice, and just being there for you when you are struggling in adjustment |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had low expectations going into the housing, but I was pleasantly surprised. My roommate was amazing and the fact that we only had 2 people per bedroom was amazing. The only thing that I was not a big fan of was the fact that we had to pay for water and electricity. |
| * Food: |
The food was really good, and there were so many choices! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I got to volunteer at a local elementary school which really helped me feel like part of the culture! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The western hospital was a distance off campus, but they were very helpful. |
| * Safety: |
I felt safer in Beijing than I do in the United States. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program really took care of us, and it was a blessing to be involved in such a caring program. |
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) |
You could spend as much or as little as you wanted. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Under $50. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just pay attention to how much you are spending! |
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 |
Living in a country like China I was encouraged to use my Mandarin Skills a lot. |
| 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? | 202 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Nothing |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
