Fun in Hangzhou! Past Review
By A student (Williams College) - abroad from 02/13/2019 to 05/31/2019 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Hangzhou
I improved my speaking fluency, which was one of my main goals of going abroad, and my writing and general language ability also improved. Not only did my language skills get better, but I also formed lasting relationships with both American and Chinese students (plus other international students). They are the ones who really made the experience enjoyable and helped me understand Chinese culture and thinking.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The room was large with attached bathroom and shared with a Chinese roommate, which I appreciated. The beginning of the semester was very cold and the heating system in the rooms were not sufficient. Rooms and bathroom also felt a little outdated and bugs such as cockroaches would come out of shower hole. Internet in the dorms was also a problem, with the wifi the program provided being very slow, even without using VPN. |
| * Food: |
The dining hall food was close, affordable, and tasty. Also, there were nearby restaurants and mobile ordering apps. Grocery store was about a 15 minute walk away as well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I think that living with a Chinese roommate really allowed me to feel integrated with the local culture, as well as our Hangzhou studies course where we learned about the city and dud site visits. However, I did also spend a lot of time with the other Americans on the program and did not meet too many other Chinese people not associated with the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally was lucky enough to not have to deal with any health issues. However, I think that others with physical health issues were able to get their issues addressed within a few days. Mental health issues were harder to receive accommodation for. |
| * Safety: |
Felt safe in the city, even late at night. Would be careful to look out for motorcycles and if going to clubs alone. |
| 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) |
Spent more at the beginning for housing, Chinese phone, etc. However, food and other expenses were very affordable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~$80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eating at the dining hall can help save on food expenses! |
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 |
We had a language pledge. |
| 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? | Chinese 301 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
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? | Wish I knew that it would be cold and rainy for the first month and a half in Hangzhou. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
