MIC Kunming: Enriching expeirences, but also challenging a mental breaking point Past Review

By (Wesleyan University) - abroad from 02/14/2017 to 06/02/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Kunming

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about Chinese culture and just ways of living in a place that isn't America or somewhere where I am comfortable. I absolutely think it was worthwhile, but the program was not only academically hard, but very socially hard which I have already explained and which greatly detracted from my experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very rigorous, wish there had been more Chinese grammar drill classes.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I wish we had more team building exercises as I was the only person from Wesleyan on the program so it was very socially isolating especially in a new country.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I liked my roommate and the rooms (although a little small). My friend brought up that because of the language pledge, we should have a time or place we can talk to our families in English if our roommates are asleep.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

3 months is not enough time to feel fully integrated

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A; no health issues

* Safety:

I would say Kunming is a very safe city, no incidents, but as always use common sense.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I'm actually not sure if I would choose to do this program over again. I very much value my experiences from it, but the way in which MIC Kunming's language pledge is implemented socially isolated me in such a way that it borderline negatively affected my mental health. I was the only student from Wesleyan so I was already coming in without social support and I could have made friends, but to do so in a deep and meaningful way in Chinese is so incredibly hard. I definitely did break the language pledge and would do so again because if I didn't I know the experience would have been straight up horrible. I would have been so lonely for 3 months in this completely new country. The last few weeks of the program were so hard to get through in terms of just feeling happy and connected to others that it really marred my whole experience. I found I didn't laugh in China like I do usually. I heard that in the Middlebury Chile program they get to speak English one day a week and I wish they had that kind of flexibility in MIC because I get it that the language pledge is important and I am glad we had it, but also the absolute strictness made it incredibly hard to make meaningful bonds with peers or give me a space to critically think or discuss my experiences in China all of which would have tremendously added to my experience. Also I don't think just one day would have had a huge negative affect on my language improvement.

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)

China, especially with food from the cafeteria, is a really cheap country. The US dollar is very strong in China.

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? Eat at the cafeteria for the most part and save going out for dinners and weekends.

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? 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? 3rd year college Chinese
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Talk to shopkeepers and locals

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local 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?
  • My roommate
  • Trips (Dali, Lizhang)
  • Teachers (kind, patient, amazing)
* What could be improved?
  • Director's interaction with students
  • Team building in the interest of students who aren't from Middlebury
  • Language pledge flexibility
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That it would be so socially isolating, but other than changing the language pledge, there is nothing I could do about that.

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!