AMAZING experience! Past Review
By A student (Brandeis University) - abroad from 01/16/2018 to 05/12/2018 with
IFSA/Alliance: Shanghai - International Business in China
I learned that it is important to go abroad where you want to go, not where everyone else is going. I gained a new sense of independence. It was absolutely worth it.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
Insurance covered everything. Medication you are used to taking in the US, make sure to bring with you as not every brand is available in China. |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program beat ALL expectations. The people were amazing and the courses fit all of my needs for both my Business and East Asian Studies majors. |
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) |
Everything is very cheap in China. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $40 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Local cuisine is incredibly cheap. The western food was a bit more expensive. Traveling by trains is inexpensive. |
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 |
We had Chinese roommates who we could practice Chinese with. We had language classes everyday. We needed to practice language around the city. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | 120a |
| 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? | Speak as often as possible with the locals. |
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? | More information about class schedule and time to travel. |
