IES Chinese language intensive program is excellent Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The teachers were all very willing to help out the students. They all seemed very capable academically and always challenged the students.

On-site administration of your program

IES language intensive program is a very excellent program for students who want to improve their language skills drastically within a short period of time. Also, the staff was extremely helpful and always on top of their game. Whenever something went wrong, they were always ready to take initiative to solve the problem.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorm was actually in the same building as the classrooms, so it was extremely convenient. The building itself was on the west campus of the University. IES had a building all to itself. <br /><br /> The dorm itself was well equipped with all the necessities: bed, table, sheets, closet, wifi, tv, shelf, communal showers/restrooms/kitchen, ac/heat, cookware, washer. The sheets could be regularly changed and washed by the cleaning ladies. Also, classrooms were right upstairs from the living quarters, which became extremely convenient. However, nightlife is not exactly in the neighborhood the school is in. This can be easily solved by taking a taxi to more hip areas for a reasonable amount of money.

The food was cheap and easy to come by. There is also a kitchen on every floor, but it became more of a hassle to cook. Most students decide to eat out regularly, so the money does start adding up. However, it is still extremely cheap compared to dining out in the U.S.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

One of the most memorable experiences was the Yunnan we took for our long trip. We climbed a gorge, lived with local ethnic groups, ate exotic foods, pushed ourselves to the limit. I was able to form more intimate bonds and friendships through this trip.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The city itself is very safe. There are always people out late at night. A general rule is to not do anything you wouldn't do back home. If you stick to that rule, you'll be set.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I practiced with my teacher, students, my roommate, and my tutor. They were all willing to speak Chinese to me and improve my Chinese skills. Also, the language pledge made it hard to not speak Chinese and practice Chinese with one another. Chinese is crucial in China because English is not a prominent language known across the nation.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans

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• Americans