Life Changing Experience Past Review
By Matthew Acker (University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 05/04/2019 to 05/18/2019 with
University of Pittsburgh: China Plus3 Study Abroad Program, Hosted by the Asia Institute
This experience was extremely worthwhile. I learned some language, what China is really like, and specific problems the country of China has.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Learned more in 2 weeks in China then years of studying this country |
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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? |
Hotels were amazing |
| * Food: |
Food provided was very diverse and had a ton of choices |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Using a local toilet on the first day taught me about the Chinese culture |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Never once felt threatened |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program provides you with so much knowledge of the culture and economy of China. |
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) |
Pretty much every meal was covered. Thought we would have to pay for many more meals than we did. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you only buy food, it is very cheap. When you start buying souvenirs, this is when you need more money. These are completely optional though. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We counted in Chinese multiple times each day. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Spanish 3 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Pretty much the only thing would have to do with packing and airplane traveling. I wish I would have known specifically what things to pack. However, this is mostly because of inexperience in traveling abroad. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
