A semester to think Past Review
By A student (Williams College) - abroad from 08/31/2017 to 12/15/2017 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Kunming
Worthwhile is one of the main words I use to describe the experience. My Chinese got a lot better, I loved getting involved in the frisbee scene in China, that was really special to me. I pushed myself to travel to far away/hard to get to places, lived in a foreign language, and got through hard/lonely/boring times and it was all worthwhile. It was so good to be away from Williams for a semester and detox from the stressful culture of the school. I gained a lot of perspective on my life as a whole, I learned to strive to think of a bigger picture instead of just pushing myself to get through every day, a rut I sometimes fall into at school. I have a lot more energy academically and socially now that I'm back at school.
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. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were moments when I felt a little more integrated with the local culture, like I joined a pick-up ultimate frisbee team and got to know some locals that way. There were a few times my roommate took me to some local restaurants. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
My roommate took me to the university's hospital to get checked out once and that was pretty easy and accessible and cheap. Obviously it was a little different than at home, but medicine (like antibiotics) was very accessible. The major health issue that my host country had that I don't have at home is stomach/gut problems caused by the food sometimes. |
| * Safety: |
Kunming felt very safe, walking around alone at night was fine, getting cabs by myself was fine, the thing to watch out for is sketchy restaurants for your stomach's safety! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The academics were good and I loved the location. The American students who chose this program were also the type of people I bonded well with. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe like $50/week |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | 400 level (advanced) |
| 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 your roommate, keep to the language pledge |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | I had a lot of downtime, which I struggled to fill at first. I had to push myself to get out into the city and look for stuff to do and see. I spent a lot of time alone. |
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! |
