Chengdu: The Land of Adventure and Self-Discovery! Past Review
By Gabriel Crow (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 02/29/2016 to 07/20/2016 with
Southwest Jiaotong University: Chengdu - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned much about myself. I was able to mature away from home, come to terms with my reasons for obtaining a solid education, and had the opportunity to learn Chinese and meet tons of amazing people.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes are particularly difficult. If allowed, it would likely be worth it for someone heading to take Chinese classes at this university to maintain permission to obtain "pass fail" status from one's home university. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
Very cheap. Only downside is that western food is more scarce. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not use the healthcare system, though my roommate and good friends did. There is a doctor just next to campus! Convenient. |
| * Safety: |
Perry theft. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Experience was great. If I changed I would only have switched to do a different language to fall more in line with my major. |
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 approximately $150 per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Set a weekly budget. Mine was $150. Withdraw that amount of money (in Chinese yuan) week-by-week or bi-weekly. |
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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2000 level |
| 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? | Great place to come learn the language! You will definitely have to work hard, but Chengdu is worth the trek :) |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | The difficulty of the classes. Still fun. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
