Expanding my horizons in China Past Review
By DANIEL Y (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; ECONOMICS, Tufts University) for
Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in China
Absolutely. My time in China fanned a subtle interest in the nations of the region into a passion for the peoples and cultures of the region. I enthusiastically look forward to returning as soon as my studies allow.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Summer 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Tufts in China does not offer the most rigorous or fulfilling language study program, and, in this sense, it disappoints many of its participants. It does, however, offer students the freedom to take away however much they want with regard to language instruction, and, with time not spent in the classroom, students have endless opportunities to experience the local culture beyond the classroom much more intimately, especially off campus. Such programs as Tufts-in-China far exceed the benefits of enrolling in a challenging program that may guarantee results but not offer opportunities for fun and relaxation during time abroad (e.g. opportunities to eat out regularly or travel frequently). Hangzhou is a beautiful place to study. Unlike cities more popularly sought for study-abroad students, such as Beijing and Shanghai, Hangzhou deserves an entire semester (or more) of students seriously interested in learning about and enjoying China. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Single room on the fourth floor of the International Students Dormitory, which houses several hundred other students from abroad enrolled in the International College program at Zhejiang University and most likely candidates for classmates in your language courses. Not the most ideal lodging arrangement with regards to improving language skills (most, if not all, of the hundreds of other students in the building will speak other languages, to you and to each other), and befriending Chinese friends therefore becomes difficult. <br /><br /> Comfortable and satisfactory rooms with air conditioning and heating (still luxuries in China - extraordinarily few places in the country have either) and personal bathrooms - compared to most of the local Chinese, foreign students live in abundant wealth. |
| * Food: |
The Chinese drink tea by the barrel primarily for one reason - to wash down the unfathomable amounts of grease and oil that the food in their meals come with. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
The Chinese obsessed over H1N1 and subtly segregated foreign students for weeks upon our arrival. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | The USD $10 daily spending stipend still did not suffice, especially given the exorbitant amount of tuition we paid for the program. Please raise this value and do future students good by returning more excess tuition money directly back to the students. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | As the stipend did not suffice for the majority of Tufts in China students, many incurred significant fees and charges for having personal money transferred from home and withdrawn in local currency. Prepare in advance for this situation a contingency (i.e. be willing to seek banks or unions that offer an inexpensive means of having money wired from home). Additionally, Hangzhou Dragon Well tea is worth splurging on. Set aside an additional USD $100 to USD $200 of personal money PRIOR TO LEAVING HOME to spend on tea and other "souvenir" items. Do not expect that Tufts' stipend money will suffice for these purchases at all. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Students generally improve in their language proficiency and comfort most not in the classroom but while off-campus and especially while traveling, where they are deliberately confronted by situations that require skillful conversation, as such situations will most rapidly expand both their vocabulary and understanding of cultural nuances. Hotel staff members and restaurant waiters usually cannot understand English, and conveying dissatisfaction or requesting information therefore require students to become adept communicators. Those who cannot become labeled as "inept foreigner" and are usually exploited much more heavily than those who can muscle their way to good deals through arguing. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
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