A great experience that you won't forget Past Review
By Sean D (DUFE/Nankai) - abroad from 07/04/2012 to 09/02/2012 with
China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
This trip was very worthwhile and very memorable. I learned that the world isn't just what I see at home or on the news. That it's very different when you go there and see the culture for yourself and what life means a native Chinese person. I discovered they were very diligent in there work, very warm-hearted towards others, and easy to make conversations with if they know some English.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Chinese Mandarin with various master classes. |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Seeing a culture complete different then my own was an awesome experience. I got hooked into learning Chinese language during the summer program and am continuing my studies today. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administration was great and helpful with answering question and helping you with any issues you had. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It had the basics. Big room, fan, tv, internet. Bed's were pretty darn hard. It was pretty much wood. |
| * Food: |
I gotta say if you look at the food on campus, most of it was awful (and pretty much free for how cheap it was). Luckily, there was some amazing restaurants close by that were cheap and quite good. Dalian had some of the best Chinese food I've ever had as well as some interesting foods you won't find in America. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Yepp, you're in China alright. The culture there is quite different then Western culture so brace yourself if you're sensitive to change. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I got to say that the INTO staff was all great. Every last one of them there was caring, supportive, and kept a great handle on things. If you were sick they'd bring you medicine. If you need to go to the hospital they were right on top of it. Being under the care of such a great INTO staff made my trip even better. |
| * Safety: |
There was a safety briefing before the real traveling began as well as several small briefings before any trips we would make. INTO staff checked in when necessary and did a great job looking out for their students. If you're a concerned mother reading this right now (like mine once was) you don't need to worry. You baby is in good hands=). |
| 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) |
China is pretty cheap compared to US. You can get by on a low budget just fine. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 500-1000RMB a hundred or two hundred US $ on various things like clothes, toiletries, food elsewhere |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Contact your bank before you go overseas and tell them where you are going. Also, keep try of how much you're spending each week and do some browsing around from time to time to see if you can find new places with lower prices for food and shopping. |
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 |
Yes, lots of encouragement to use the language. The more you use it, the better you get. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 2nd year spanish but I just knew some Chinese words. Probably 30 before I left. |
| 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? | Learning a new language is like building a big wall. How do you build a wall? One brick at a time. Just focus on 4 new words a day and you will be able to speak 112 words in one month. That's enough to get around and pass beginner Chinese classes. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Chinese people cut in front of people all the time. Also, the taxi drivers aren't trying to kill you that's just how they drive. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
