Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

12.5% of my College Experience Past Review

By (Wofford College) - abroad from 01/15/2016 to 05/06/2016 with

Beijing Foreign Studies University: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my Chinese, gained new friends from around the world, discovered things about China I never knew before, and I grew into a better person. Yes, it was absolutely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* 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?

This is very important to me. While I was in Beijing, I suffered from a condition which required me to spend three days in the hospital while I recovered. I received the best medical care the city had to offer with IES's travel insurance. In addition, my RAs were with me 24/7 during my time in the hospital to make sure that I was not alone.

* Safety:

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

IES provided me with me with everything I hoped to achieve through study abroad plus more. I am truly happy to be an IES Beijing alumni.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $50

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
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? Chinese 301
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The community feeling
  • The encouragement to get out and explore on our own
  • IES's dorms and campus location
* What could be improved?
  • There were a lot of make-up classes that made it difficult to complete all of the work on time.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Enjoy it. Even though three and a half months seems like a long time, it will fly by.

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 Linguist
You 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!