Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A great experience! Past Review

By (East Asian Studies., Denison University) - abroad from 02/12/2014 to 06/09/2014 with

China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gaine a lot. I learned so much about China and the cultures there. I also gained weight from all of the greasy food I ate! It was definitely worthwhile, I think going abroad somewhere that was not in the very common European countries has a lot of value. I was able to travel all around China, and see things that I never knew existed before.

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.

I think I learned a lot about China that I otherwise would not have learned in my home university. The Chinese languages courses really helped me improve a lot, as well as the Chinese language partners we were paired up with.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

My program's administration did their best to help the students as much as they could.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I really enjoyed living in the international housing, it was very comfortable. I also stayed with a host family which I really enjoyed as well, it gave me a better look at daily life.

* Food:

The food was delicious! However, being a vegetarian it was somewhat difficult to eat dishes that were not cooked in meat/fish without knowing it. My host family was very respectful of my dietary habits and cooked every meal vegetarian!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt somewhat integrated through living with my host family and meeting with my language partner. However, it is very easy to stay in your bubble of program friends and not meet very many locals.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Durnig the beginning of the program I got sick. After informing my program director, I was taken to the an English speaking doctor and given medicine. It was all very easy and taken care of through the program, something I know I would not have been equipped to handle on my own.

* Safety:

I always felt very safe my whole trip. The one thing I would say though is beware of pick-pocketers, and keep money close on you.

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? I had to pay for every meal, which one meal at the dining hall would total to about $2-4. However, eating out was a bit pricier depending on where you go and how many people you are dining with.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't go shopping once you first get there. Get to know the stores and prices of things and get good at haggling.

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? Intermediate
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? 1 year and a half
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? Try to interact as much with locals as you can. Also, it doesn't hurt to speak with your english friends in Chinese too.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Host Family
* 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?
  • Traveling
  • language partners
  • Host family
* What could be improved?
  • Food/meal plan
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More about the country, and things/locations to learn ore about before coming so I could have more knowledge on them

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 Adventurer
The 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.