Beijing: A wonderful place to learn a language and experience an old and thriving culture/ Past Review
By Clark M (Chemistry., Trinity University) for
Beijing Foreign Studies University: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
The experience was definitely worth while. I learned so much Chinese, and yet I learned so much more. I started to learn the culture. I know The Subway station and how to get around Beijing better than I do Trinity and I have been in San Antonio for two years now. I learned how to live and accept a different culture, and I realized how much that this experience has helped to change me into a more accepting and more questioning person on America's culture. And lastly, my trip to China lead me to learn what I value most in life.
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. |
I loved the experience and recommend Summer as a good time to study abroad. Because it was the summer the only focus was on the language. The curriculum was well planned out in the fact that assignments required students to go out into Beijing and talk to locals about topics you learned about in class that day. I found this to be extremely helpful as well as rewarding because I was able to see how much I had learned and how my language skill had improved. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES Beijing seemed very special because it was small enough to have a homely and family feel. I felt very comfortable voicing any problems I encountered, and enjoyed interacting with the administration because they were so nice and personable. It was also well organized, I never had a problem of not knowing who to go to for a specific problem. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was a nice dorm, a little small than the one's at Trinity, but very nice and the bathrooms and halls were cleaned daily. I enjoyed my chinese room mate and still keep up with him on Facebook since he is now studying in the USA. The location is very nice because it is connected to a large university, so sports and gym facilities are within walking distance, and you get the chance to meet people from all around the world. Transportation was never an issue because the subway was a fifteen minute walk from campus, five by bike, and Taxi's wait outside the gates for customers. |
| * Food: |
The chinese food in Beijing ranges from cheap to expensive, bad to amazing and part of the fun is finding out what you like and where it is. Other than Beijing kaoya (peking duck) My favorite meals never cost more than five or six dollars. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The Great Wall trip may be the most amazing thing I have done in my life. I recommend going on it, and especially recommend waking up at 3:30 for the hike to the top. The hike was tough, but it was one of the prettiest places I have ever been. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I had no health issues, but there is an american run hospital thirty minutes from the school which I hear is very nice. I felt safer in China than I do in Texas. There are security guards everywhere, and they have a large incentive not to mess with foreigners. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Bring Chinese currency when you arrive. This wasn't explicitly stated. |
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? |
As mentioned above, the course required going out into the city and talking to locals. This was a very effective tool in improving the language and gave me the confidence to do it on my own time which is something I highly recommend |
| 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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Study Chinese at IES. The people are great, the atmosphere is perfect for learning Chinese, and Beijing is one of the best cities in the world. |
