Study Abroad at Fudan University Past Review
By Jessica W (International Business., Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) for
IFSA/Alliance: Shanghai - 21st Century City
I gained an entirely new perspective on life. I had never been outside of the USA before this study abroad program, and it completely opened my eyes to not only a new culture, but to the world in general. Some of my greatest experiences came from the traveling that was included in the program. I'll never forget the weekend trip to Shaoxing to visit a clothing factory on Black Friday. It's a day that has changed me forever.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Fudan University |
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Workload- 1-2 hours a night Grading system- Similar to OSU's grading system Teaching methods- Very interactive |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
GREAT administration suppport. Great organization of trips and great support for students. I would honestly say no weaknesses. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived with one Chinese student and one other American student from the program. Housing was in a great location and very clean. |
| * Food: |
Can find a variety of food in Shanghai. If you don't like Chinese you can easily find Western food. I would worry for students with food allergies. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
One student had to have an emergency surgery during the first few weeks we were there. She was very well taken care of. The Western hospital and our Director of programs took very good care of her and were able to keep her parents well informed. Some students experienced sickness from the food the first couple of weeks, but the 'new food' is something your body will get use to. DO NOT DRINK THE TAP WATER, must boil to safely drink. Very safe, never witnessed any violence. |
| 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) |
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Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
It can improve as much as you want it to improve depending on how hard you work and how much/little you use it on a daily basis outside of class. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | It will not be an experience you will regret, only one you wish you had experienced sooner in life :) |
