I love Beijing Past Review
By A student (Computer Science, Trinity University) - abroad from 01/17/2013 to 05/10/2013 with
Beijing Foreign Studies University: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My Chinese improved so quickly and dramatically I still haven't processed the idea that I seriously would spend days and days without speaking a word of English. I am planning to try to recreate many of the dishes I got to taste in China over the next semester because it was so healthy and delicious. I was homesick a lot of the time and that was really hard but it was like I was being pulled in two directions because I strongly believe that Beijing is the city for me and I loved the people I met and the things I saw so much.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Fantastic teaching staff, really felt like I learned a lot |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
A lot of smart advice, lots of support, very organized |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was prepared to settle for basic arrangements but I did feel that at some points my host family was not fulfilling their end of the contract with IES, but this is obviously not something that was in their control at the time and they have assured me it will be addressed. |
| * Food: |
Vegetarian accommodations can be a challenge in China but the food arrangements provided by IES were as good as they could get |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We met a lot of neighbors and friends, our language classes were often geared to help us have interesting conversations with Chinese people |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
We were always given an overwhelming supply of precautionary health supplies - face masks, bird flu kit, repeated repeated instructions on how to get to the hospital. I never visited the hospital, but I heard the amenities were great. |
| * Safety: |
Beijing is probably one of the best places I could imagine a foreign woman traveling to. I had one friend who was pickpocked in a huge crowd and you should check your cab before exiting, but I felt safer than I do in many American cities. |
| 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) |
Beijing isn't the cheapest place in China, but it's about 6 times cheaper than anywhere in the US |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Withdraw large amounts of cash each time you go to the ATM to avoid expensive bank fees |
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 |
Very very rigorous language pledge |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | First semester of third year college Chinese |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Talk to locals, try to force yourself not to speak english |
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? | - You can log onto wifi with your phone while its in airplane mode - Oh my god, everyone in China needs a VPN |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
