There are so many places to go, people to meet, and food to try! Past Review
By A student (Smith College) - abroad from 01/21/2015 to 05/15/2015 with
IFSA/Alliance: Shanghai - International Business in China
I learned to travel independently in China. It was definitely worthwhile. The experience is encouraging to know because that will help me on my future travels
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My Chinese language class was very intensive. I found Chinese 400 and China: An Economic Giant to be my two most enjoyable courses out of all of the ones I took that semester. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were very informative and provided assistance when we had questions. The orientation session helped prepare of what was expected from us throughout the semester. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We were all assigned to a furnished apartment that had a living room, kitchen, dining room, and bathroom. I was provided with my own bedroom. Heater/AC, hot water, and water machine were available to use when needed. We were each assigned two roommates, one from the program and another who is a native Chinese. We were encouraged to practice speaking Chinese with our Chinese roommate. |
| * Food: |
The program doesn't provide you a meal plan but the food that can be bought around there are always super affordable and delicious! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt fully immersed into the local culture. I communicated with locals on a day-to-day basis in Mandarin. I was able to get around in Shanghai by myself. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I, personally, did not have any serious health issues, but my friends who had them were able to gain access to the local health care system easily. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. There were no problems when I was in China. |
| 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) |
The low cost of living in China allowed me to spend $100/week on food and personal expenses. I did not worry too much about how much I spent abroad. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Create a budget before you fly off to your program. |
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 |
There was a language pledge. Teachers would often remind us to speak Mandarin whenever we're in their vicinity. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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 400 |
| 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? | Go out and try to make friends with Chinese natives! |
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? | Even though I did not spend too much over the semester, I wish I had planned out a more cost-effective budget. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
