Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Chengdu is truly the epicenter of modern Chinese culture. Past Review

By (International Relations and History, Goucher College) for

USAC China: Chengdu - Chinese Language and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes.

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:

SICHUAN FOOD IS AMAZING. But very spicy and not for the faint of heart.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I actually had a small emergency where I had a severe infection and had to go to the emergency room. My program director helped me through via phone the whole night and went with me the following days for check ups.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do not anticipate to use a credit card, cash is only taken by all vendors. You MUST have a debit card. Also, Western food is the most expensive, but spending once a week on an indulgent meal is not too expensive and is worthwhile if your stomach is miserable.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
  • Hostel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Multi-cultured and curious students would do best on this program. DON'T go expecting the language to be easy and to be completely sheltered. Chengdu is a fabulous city to get a bit lost in Chinese culture but still not be unsafe.