Lots of work, better Chinese, not as much fun. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/28/2019 to 12/11/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Beijing

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot of vocabulary

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Too much time studying, not enough free time. Immersion would have been better if I had just taken the semester off and lived/ worked in China. I had more real speaking practice touring around with my mother after the program ended than I had the entire time I was in the program.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would have spent the time living in the country without course work. I would have gotten more natural language practice this way.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to China

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 2.5
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

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • My roommate
  • The food
  • Being on the other side of the world
* What could be improved?
  • The homework load
  • The class schedule
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You only need to bring a well-packed backpack! People bring too much clothing.

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Chinese Politics

Course Department: School Abroad
Instructor: Qian Bo
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: Everything was great.
Credit Transfer Issues: No issues
Course Name/Rating:

Hot Topics

Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Lu
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: Very interesting course material. Lots of homework
Credit Transfer Issues: No
Course Name/Rating:

Exploring Beijing

Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Zhang
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: Great field trips, learned a lot
Credit Transfer Issues: No