Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Traveling Across China Past Review

By (Engineering, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 05/07/2016 to 05/21/2016 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 gained a better ability to sympathize and understand people of different cultures. I think it's very easy to dismiss another person's action as weird or unusual, but when you look into why they act that way, it becomes much less strange. I've also gained a larger sense of adventure, and I know I'd like to travel abroad again!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* 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

I loved the quick insight into China I received on this trip. My only complaint is that the trip was only two weeks!

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)

Most of the meals are covered, and the meals you have to pay for run less than 7-8 USD, often as low as 4-5 USD. Most of my money spent was on souvenirs.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $25
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Learn how to bargain and be judicious when buying souvenirs.

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?
  • FOOD
  • Great Wall visit
  • Hong Kong
* What could be improved?
  • More advice on transportation
  • A longer trip.
  • More focus on language.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how to speak at least a little bit of Mandarin so I could communicate better with shop/restaurant workers, etc. from the beginning.

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.