A Leap into Chinese Culture and Business Past Review

By (Finance and Accounting, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 05/02/2015 to 05/17/2015 with

University of Pittsburgh: China Plus3 Study Abroad Program, Hosted by the Asia Institute

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much from my experience abroad. I learned about the mobile phone supply chain, I learned about the rich Chinese culture, and I learned about the similarity of people around the world. Now that my trip is over, I want to learn Mandarin so I can go back and visit China again some day.

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Asia Institute did a fantastic job leading a large group of American teenagers through heavily crowded Chinese tourist and educational sites.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The quality of most of our hotels was terrific!

* Food:

The Asia Institute brought us to many restaurants we never would have found on our own, and introduced us to authentic Chinese dishes. I never found myself disappointed with their decisions.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

It is obviously difficult and dangerous to maneuver in a foreign city, but the Asia Institute did a good job in preparing us and advising us on the best decisions to make.

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)

The basic items, such as food and drink, were not expensive. Any gifts for family members started to raise the cost of living on a student's budget.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100 dollars.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes

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?
  • Visiting the cultural sites
  • Learning about Chinese Industry
* What could be improved?
  • I would have traded some of my free time to have been able to spend more time at cultural sites such as the Great Wall.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The best place to catch a taxi is with the help of a bellhop at a hotel.