Mind changing experience that teaches you about real life in China Past Review
By Diana L (Anthropology and Business, Brandeis University) - abroad from 09/01/2013 to 12/14/2013 with
SIT Study Abroad: China - Health, Environment, and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Everything, literally. I initially wanted to go to Shanghai because I didn't even know what was special about Kunming. But after being there and going to travel to Shanghai, I do not repent at all. Kunming shows you the real China, what the culture is like, what the people are like and most of all what China was before and is headed towards. Not many places have all that in one. The minority groups are extremely interesting and they teach you a lot about China that we do not understand the value of until we see it with our own eyes. The program opens doors that even if you travel by yourself you will not be able to open. It's the experience of a lifetime.
Review Photos
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. |
SIT does an amazing job at always teaching without you even realizing. Most of the teaching is done through experimental learning, which just made everything ten times better and more powerful. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The people who are in charge of the program are there for you 24/7, literally. They will always help you whenever you need anything, they are amazing. They are willing to change the schedule if it means having a much better experience doing another thing and are easy going but very dedicated. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It wasn't the BEST but it serves the purpose. There are many living arrangelemtns. The hotels you go to are very nice, but the dorms are like any other dorms in China. However we do get to live only in pairs and not with five people in the room and there is a bathroom inside every single room for only two people. |
| * Food: |
Amazing! never did I eat anything bad in China |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Everybody is extremely nice. They all help you get places, learn, everybody wants to be your friend. It's very amazing to see that. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The coordinators were always looking out for us. If you had the flu or any discomfort, they would go and buy some medicine for you and take care of you as much as you needed. |
| * Safety: |
No safety problems at all! It's an extremely safe city in every aspect. I would walk at 5 am alone and not feel insecure at all. |
| 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) |
Extremely easy. China is not expensive at all. Also, SIT gives you money to spend every section of the program and that is more than enough for basic needs. The rest is extremely optional but technically you don't need to spend more than $50-$100 a month (maximum). |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50-$100 a month |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do everything you can ! Try all the street food and try not to spend all your money on coffee (it's the most expensive thing in China) |
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 |
It's Chinese and you live in China, it's impossible not to use it. |
| 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? | CHIN 20 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Just speak. Don't be afraid to hold back. Everybody makes mistakes at first but those who spoke the most with locals got much better. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 10+ |
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? | Pack light and well for every season of the year. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
