Heaven on Earth Past Review
By Allie C (HISTORY., Trinity University) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 05/26/2012 with
IFSA/Alliance: Shanghai - 21st Century City
I found myself. I was the best thing that I have ever done in my life. I would do it over and over and over again if I could with the same people.
Review Photos
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. |
Courses were not too difficult, they do require studying and outside work but there was plenty of free time! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were amazing! Our director was so loving and she was like our mom away from home. I had kidney stones within a couple weeks of arriving and she took me to the ER and dealt with the insurance while I was in severe pain. She did absolutely everything that she could in order to make our stay fun, enjoyable, and safe. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Tonghe was the most amazing place to live! Only difference is that there is not an oven which was difficult at first but we got around it. Each apartment has it's own washing machine and area to hang clothes to dry. nice furniture and bedding is included, many of us bought electric blankets and alternative down comforters because of the cold weather but the AC/heater worked great. |
| * Food: |
Almost all of our meals were on our own and the food was amazing! There were lots of small local places that were cheap and delicious and also there were many nearby western places in case somebody was home sick for some food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
You get as integrated into the culture as you choose. I made an effort to go out and meet new people and be friends with Chinese local students. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I needed two vaccines for this country but they were not difficult to get. While I was abroad I was in the hospital many times. Insurance covered all of it and the doctors were very caring, in one circumstance the doctor had his assistant call me until I answered to see if I was doing better. Everybody spoke English and would explain what was going on to me. |
| * Safety: |
Shanghai is extremely safe. I was safe to walk alone and travel in the city alone. I never had any trouble with a taxi driver trying to rip me off. I also was able to travel between Beijing and Shanghai alone and safely. |
| 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) |
China is cheap |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $200 - by choice, one could easily go $50 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Take the subway if possible, taxis cost a lot after dark. |
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 |
It was required in Shanghai, but the program did not require it. We used it as much as we wanted to learn it. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Chinese II part 1 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk all the time with anybody you can. I made friends with the locals that worked outside our apartments and spoke to them daily and improved a lot. I also had a Chinese guy that I was dating while I was there and that helped my language. Going and getting nails done with the same woman all the time is also a good way to improve. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | If arriving for the Spring semester, buy an electric blanket and alternative down blanket before the first night. Also buy toilet paper. Get electrical converters, not adapters! Adapters will blow fuses, converters will not. |
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. |
