Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

China Megacities/Megastructures: People, Planet, and Places Past Review

By (Civil Engineering., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 04/30/2013 to 06/17/2013 with

China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Our program took us from Beijing to Shanghai, to Guanzhou, to Hong Kong. It was amazing to see all of the buildings that are being built in China with the newest innovations in engineering. It was truly a unique experience.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Chinese tour guides, universities, and other public relations were exceptionally welcoming and friendly to our group. Without their hospitality, the trip would have been difficult to manage.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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? $50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make a plan for how much money you would like to spend, and where you would like to spend it, then stick to that plan and the amount of money you have allotted.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The Chinese people
* What could be improved?
  • A little more time to experience the trip, maybe three weeks instead of two
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would've learned more Chinese before I left. It would have been an even better experience if I could have tried to have conversations with the Chinese while I was there.