Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

IES Abroad Beijing is the Best! Past Review

By (International Relations and Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) for

Beijing Foreign Studies University: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Oh yes. It was a maturing experience.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Not aware if educational facility is handicap accessible, but I never had a problem with anything (not handicapped). Expectations were exceeded, and if I was able to I would go again.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Language pledge gave students immersion opportunity so that Chinese can greatly improve. Yes, everyday interactions were all in Chinese.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Language immersion and cheap goods.
* What could be improved?
  • Destroying the Fire Wall of China

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Advanced Intermediate Chinese
Course Department: CHI 320
Instructor: Gao Laoshi, Deng Laoshi, Ma Laoshi
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: Great pace. Excellent level of instruction. Relevant field trips and projects incorporated the lessons. Excellent prepartion made by professors. Class size was much smaller and facilitator much more hands on participation than back at my university.
Credit Transfer Issues: As of yet, no.