IES Beijing: Language Intensive Program Past Review
By Zachary L (Chinese Studies., Trinity University) for
Beijing Foreign Studies University: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Absolutely. The balance between academics, culture understandings, and having a good time at the IES Beijing Center make it the ideal place for Sinophiles from all over the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload for the Language Intensive program is tough, but manageable. Students should expect lots of studying and quizzes every day. If you're in the LI program, it means you're in China first and foremost to improve you Chinese and use it "out in the wild," so to speak. If you apply yourself, this is exactly what you will be able to do. The teaching style is fast and intuitive, yet comprehensive. But don't worry. If you stay on top of things, you will, of course, have more than enough spare time to enjoy the food, culture, and nightlife which is unique to the great city of Beijing. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The quality of instruction and the overall atmosphere are two of the greatest strengths at the IES Beijing Center. One potential weakness is a lack of integration with the greater BFSU community that can give rise to a sense of distance between the American students and their Chinese counterparts. This, however, can be overcome with a little effort. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was AWESOME. Living with a Chinese couple really forced me up to the next level with my conversation skills in Chinese, and the food was phenomenal!! I lived about 25-30 minutes off campus (by bus), but I never felt unsafe in the neighborhood (or anywhere in Beijing), and I had the extra opportunity to explore new parts of the city that other students missed. I was treated like family, and we still stay in touch. I would highly recommend living with a host family for anyone who doesn't mind the commute and wants to build a real relationship with a real family. |
| * Food: |
You know those weight loss advertisements with the "before/after" pictures... yeah, imagine the opposite! I ate so well! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The two week trip was awesome!! I went to the Northeast with a group of about 15 and 2 professors, and I loved it! Long weekends for self-travel were also great! Additional activities like city tours, bike rides, walks through the Forbidden City, etc. were great ways to get to know the city. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never once felt unsafe in Beijing. Just don't leave your iPhone sticking out of your pocket on a crowded public bus! |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Living in a homestay with meals provided, I got by about 15-20 Renminbi per day during the week. Factor in extra for a little fun on the weekends (maybe an extra 200-300/weekend for a really fun time!) and for buying souvenirs. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Stop converting into US dollars as soon as you get off the plane. If you think "oh, but this is only like $3" instead of "well, that's 18块... it's a bit expensive," you'll spend more money than you anticipate. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Speak with as many people as you can. Find a language partner, utilize your tutor, chat with your host family/roommate on a daily basis, and get out and talk to strangers! |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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? | Anyone with a serious interest in China/Chinese would get a lot out of this particular program. The academic requirements make it a little too rigorous for those who merely want to have a little fun in a foreign country. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced Topics in Literary Tranlsation |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Brendan O'Kane |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | Brendan is a great teacher and a professional translator. He knows his stuff. He's not so much interested in how much Chinese you know (if you don't know a word, just ask!), but how well you can grasp and transfer ideas and images across the language barrier. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Internship Seminar |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Nancy Zhang |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | A companion course for the weekly internship. It includes pertinent reading and discussions on various topics relating to doing business in China. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
