The Perfect Semester Past Review

By (International Business, University of San Francisco) - abroad from 08/10/2014 to 12/15/2014 with

The Beijing Center: Semester and Full Year Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I really learned the politics, spirituality, culture, and architecture of china even if you are not in a classroom. Also my chinese got significantly better, and this gave an appreciation for foreign people living in the US.

Review Photos

Loyola University of Chicago: Beijing - The Beijing Center Photo Loyola University of Chicago: Beijing - The Beijing Center Photo Loyola University of Chicago: Beijing - The Beijing Center Photo Loyola University of Chicago: Beijing - The Beijing Center Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes were all really interesting and engaging. There was a decent amount of work, but it was totally worth what we were learning. Some of the best classes I've taken in college.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration was amazing. The people there were very welcoming, knowledgable, and just great people.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorms were okay for American standards, but for chinese standards they were very nice.

* Food:

Near TBC there are so many different kinds of restaurants with very different kinds of food for very cheap.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I feel like i integrated within the culture very well, at the end of my trip I felt like a local.

* 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)

Money was not that big of an issue, everything over there is very cheap.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 60
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? try not to buy too many expensive gifts, because you can probably find them cheaper.

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

They encouraged to use Chinese very often, and it helped me really get immersed into the culture.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Third semester chinese
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 talk to as many Chinese people as possible

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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 Silk Road Trip
  • The People
  • Fall Break Trip
* What could be improved?
  • Knowledge of the city
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to better plan trips in China

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.