"Shanghai has everything to keep you on your toes" Past Review

By (Music., Rollins College) for

Rollins College: Shanghai - Rollins in Shanghai

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was worth it. I wish my language was better than it is now, because I am going back and want to talk to my new friends.

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.

Workload was pretty intense. The Chinese classes were of a different grading style, but the other classes were the same.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Strengths were all of the extra traveling and the degree of the classes were good. There was not enough down time for personal exploration.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The hotel was comfortable, but i wanted an enviroment of immersion and a place to be forced to use the language. Living with the students that speak the same language was not an aid to learning.

* Food:

Shanghai has everything.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Shanghai is clean and easy.

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? I spent very little, maybe 100 dollars a week without shopping.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Shopping was fun, but don't go to often. Food is cheap. Must buy bottled water everyday. I would buy the big ones and they would last a few days.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 202 Chineses
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

All of my peers spoke English. But i had to use language everyday in the city. I think my language greatly improved and I made friends that I was able to practice with. I think the program could have been more focused on language learning though. I feel I could have learned more.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

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  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

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A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Some one who is motivated to learn and can go out and find cool places, and find friends easily.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Chinese History and Culture

Course Department:
Instructor: Thomas of Barcelona
Instruction Language: English
Comments: It was a great overview of Chinese History and Culture. I was pleased with all of the course except the unique 4hours each class.
Credit Transfer Issues: It only took longer for the grade to come in.
Course Name/Rating:

United states china relations.

Course Department:
Instructor: Lairson
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was a course i would never have taken at home, because i am a music major and don't have to. I was pleased to have taken it. I felt like I was behind the whole time because many of my classmates were familiar to the type of class. Saying that, i think my learning curve was the highest in the class even though my grade was not. I learned a lot and I am thankful for the information that I learned.
Credit Transfer Issues: No.