Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Kunming is a great city with a rich cultural background. Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/21/2018 to 06/09/2018 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Kunming

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my language skills, and made some friends. I enjoyed learning about the Yunnan culture.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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:

I got sick several times, but it tasted pretty good!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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? Yes

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? 30 USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't eat meals; eat Oreos.

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? 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? Advanced Chinese (third year level)
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

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

  • 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 weather.
  • The professors.
* What could be improved?
  • The exam schedule
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would have gotten a SIM card like the program recommended. Instead, I kept my international phone plan which was expensive.

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:

Yunnan Impressions
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Mo
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: Good teacher, but it was challenging.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Business Chinese
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Zhang
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: This was a good class. I learned a lot, and the vocabulary will be very useful to me in the future. I did not like the internship because it wasn't an effective use of my time.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Classical Chinese
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Yang
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: I learned a lot and the professor was patient and intelligent.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

One-on-one
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Liu
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: The instructor was knowledgeable and eager to teach.
Credit Transfer Issues: