China. Wow. Past Review

By (Art Teacher Education., Western Washington University) for

China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes! I want to go back this summer, but the plane tickets are just too expensive!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The homework load was very reasonable. We all wished we could have had one weekend to stay in Kunming to experience the culture on our own. Having to take a trip every week got very tiring. Also, I felt as if some of the places we went were too tourist-centered. Honestly, I'd cut out Beijing altogether and do 4 weeks in Kunming.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Ma Laoshi was great!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was fine.

* Food:

The food was AMAZING. Except breakfast in Beijing, for some reason it didn't sit well with me. But I felt so healthy while I was there! While in Beijing, I recommend the many fruit stands, just remember to bring sanitizer or wash the fruit before eating. In Kunming, I recommend eating at Semi Sugar, on your way to class. Also, Salvador's. It's a wonderful Western Style restaurant. It's a little expensive, but very good if you miss the taste of home. And you will. The cafeteria at the university is very good, my favorite item was the hongshao qiezi (eggplant brazed in soy sauce). Realize that meat is going to be low quality. There's a halal cafeteria as well, if you're picky. TRY EVERYTHING!!!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We had a lot of planned 'cultural' activities that didn't really seem to enhance the experience. Also, we didn't have all of the current political information needed to fully experience some of the culture. For example, when visiting Tiananmen, we all though we weren't allowed to talk about the protests and political controversy that had occurred. We found out later in the trip that we would have been fine to do so. However, we did have some excursions that were extremely beneficial to our understanding of Chinese culture. The trip to Dali and LiJiang was a wonderful insight into ancient Chinese culture. Also, the trip to the Minzu Village was amazing.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I never once felt in danger. I got sick for one day, and got over it very fast. There are a lot of vaccines needed for the trip, but they are necessary.

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

EVERYONE. We weren't allowed to speak English, which was great. The only problem was when we needed to translate something in order to understand it. We needed to use English then.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Food
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Language Aquisition
* What could be improved?
  • Orginization
  • Student involvement in planning
  • Planned Activities
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Bring reliable snacks! I couldn't eat breakfast the entire week in Beijing because it made me sick! Granola bars, hot chocolate, INSTANT COFFEE (though, tea is better), oatmeal!! All that stuff either doesn't exist or is very expensive in China. Also, don't use traveler's cheques. They aren't accepted anywhere other than the main Bank of China. Bring your debit card or cash if you need to. You're going to spend a lot of money, some of it unexpected. I'd also advise to budget while you're there (if you have time) because my money disappeared fast!