Best summer experience hands down, time flew by too unbelievably fast! Past Review
By Rebecca S (International Affairs and Environmental Studies, Lafayette College) - abroad from 06/13/2012 to 08/04/2012 with
Yunnan University: Kunming - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Where do I start!? It was my introduction to China so I learned so much about China in general as well as the country's environmental issues and how it's connected to politics, social issues, etc. Additionally, I now have a completely different perspective on the Greater Mekong Subregion. I met with officials from organizations like Asian Development Bank that are really relevant in the current situation of the developing region. The travel is incredible, seeing Thailand and Laos and even border hopping to Burma! It was the most worthwhile experience I've ever had, without exaggeration!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Small Chinese classes with Chinese teachers who care about individuals' progress and learning. Area studies courses that are supplemented by out of the classroom learning, visiting locations we were learning about--irreplaceable experience to be at the heart of what you're learning about! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Absolutely fantastic staff, they are well in tune with the group's dynamic, interest, and needs. Work well with diverse personalities and offers knowledge, experience, and fun to the program! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housed in a roomy apartment with another program student at the Yunnan University hotel/international students dorm but in the future, all housing will be right on Yunnan University campus in IES's own center building. |
| * Food: |
Right next to Yunnan University is a street with all types of foods from great Chinese to Indian to Southeast Asian to one of the best Western joints in the China! Seriously, fantastic options, delicious time, never run out of places to try! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The activities helped us to integrate into the local culture but because of the short amount of time in each place, especially on the travel trips, it is difficult to feel complete integration. There was definitely cultural exchange as part of the learning experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The staff is equipped with fluent English and Chinese speakers who were able to take care of a student when she needed treatment from a doctor. |
| * Safety: |
As in any city, you must be aware but I never felt uncomfortable in Kunming. |
| 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) |
If you think Beijing is cheap, Kunming is even cheaper! Not a problem but I would check with your bank before hand about withdrawal costs. I ran into the problem of a $5 charge each time but some like Bank of America work with China Construction Bank for no withdrawal fee. |
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 |
The language classes were important, 4 days a week for a few hours each day and of course, they wanted us to use it, on the street or practice with one of the Chinese staff. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Immerse yourself in it! Force yourself to speak and learn many words each day, you'll be surprised how much you can learn and retain in one day. I would have never expected to be able to learn 30-50 new words each day! |
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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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? | I wish I had known more history about the region before arriving and how much it has to offer, especially with all the cultural and bio diversity that makes the province so fascinating! |
