I didn't expect to fall in love with Beijing...but I did! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I absolutely loved IES: Beijing and really enjoyed my study abroad experience! I gave it five stars because now that I have finished, I realized how amazing the overall experience was and that I actually really miss it and would not mind doing it again! However, during the semester, there were times when I didn't love China or I didn't love the homework but the people in the program really made it worthwhile. The Chinese teachers at IES: Beijing are the BEST Chinese teachers I have ever had and the other students in my program I can now call as some of my best friends that I still talk to almost everyday. The teachers are incredibly sweet, but the classes can be challenging. Yet, depending on what level of Chinese you test into, the teachers really stick to that level and use the vocab that you know. I was very impressed with how IES: Beijing really took care of the students and how established they are at Beijing Foreign Studies University. Also, the BFSU community is amazing and really became my second home. Song Lin on campus has the BEST dumplings and for really cheap!

On-site administration of your program

The IES: Beijing office is really well established on the Beijing Foreign Studies Campus. IES: Beijing has its own building with dorms on the second and third floors, communal bathrooms, lounges, and classrooms are on the fourth floor. So you can literally roll out of bed and get to class in one minute. They also have an activity room where you might have some classes, and you can watch movies, play ping-pong, study, or do whatever. And the RA's are amazing! They are different every year but I know mine were the best :).

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everyone who lives in the dorm has a traditional dorm room with a bed, drawers, a desk, bookshelf, and a TV. You will also share it with a Chinese roommate. I really loved my Chinese roommate and I got to practice my Chinese with her and learn Chinese culture and she got to practice her English and I would tell her about American culture. If you live in a homestay, IES has a list of pretty good families to stay with. There is also one RA that is designated for homestay students.

On campus, every single day I went to this place called Song Lin and it had the best dumplings for extremely cheap. I would ether get 10 for 6RMB ($1) or 20 for double that (yes, only $2 on lunch everyday). Also, outside of BFSU there is a street with a couple of restaurants that are pretty good. You will never have trouble finding food and if you get tired of Chinese food, there are a couple of good pizza places around.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

What I loved about my abroad experience and living with a Chinese roommate is that I really learned about a vastly different culture first-hand. I started to realize just how interesting the people are and the culture that is so intertwined with history. The one thing is if you look like a foreigner, some Chinese people will treat you like one. Around BFSU and the Chao Yang District (Ex-pat district) is not bad at all, but if you to a festival, Tiananmen Square, or a touristy destination, you will see Chinese people start videoing you or taking pictures of you.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

IES required you to purchase a certain kind of international insurance. The hospital that we were to go to if something happened was Beijing United Family Hospital. It is a private hospital and is in the ex-pat district so they have both Chinese doctors and English-speaking doctors. The only problem is that the hospital is so far away but its a really good one. I had to go once for being sick and an RA came with me, which was awesome. There is also an international foods store next door so I got treated and got some american foods that I had been missing. They take the insurance that we have with the program and did not have to pay anything!

IES will tell you over and over that Beijing is one of the safest cities in China, which I have come to agree with. I mean its never smart to walk around at night by yourself but I do not think anyone would run into any trouble otherwise. The only thing to worry about is pick-pocketing in touristy areas, which can happen anywhere in the world.

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

Beijing is pretty cheap, especially the food. You can very easily stay on a budget if you needed too. However, if you go to the market and travel, expect to pay more. Also, when going out, you'll also have to pay for drinks.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

You have Chinese class everyday except Wednesday for 4 hours plus one hour of one-on-one with a Chinese tutor. There is also a language pledge. For the first two weeks its from 8am to 4pm and then it goes 24 hours. Honestly, it sounds scary and intimidating but its not that big of a deal, really. I came into the program beginner-intermediate and left the program intermediate-advanced. But the language pledge really goes a long way in improving your Chinese.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students

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• Americans

• Chinese Teachers
• Cultural Immersion
• Other IES students

• More time to travel
• Bring back Chinese History Class
• Sometimes you will have China days (you'll know it when it happens)

The Avid Adventurer