Past Review

By Kyle S (Chinese Language and Literature., University of Hawaii - Manoa) for

Beijing Foreign Studies University: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I gained the usual from any study abroad experience. I learned to tolerate people from different cultures a little better. I also gained a good amount of friends. I went on trips to important cultural sites. And above all, my Chinese improved. What more could you ask for from a study abroad experience?

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place:	Spring 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The teachers were great, but it is easy not to study. I am the type of student that gets the most out of a class if the teachers give regular constant mini-quizzes and and homework. However, the classes had virtually no homework and no quizzes of any kind. Other than a few papers, and a mid-term and final for each class, there was virtually no other homework of any kind. This is good for those that like to do crash studying, but I don't like to do that. I would have to say that I would have gotten much more out of the classes if they were designed in the mini-quiz/homework format. Also classes are scheduled to give you a day off each week. Luckily I got Monday off to give me a three day weekend. Whether you think this is good or bad is up to the individual students study habits. Having Monday as a backup if I didn't study Sunday was always nice.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	See what I wrote above on: Was it a good decision to study at this university? Would you recommend this university to other UH students?
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I lived in Guojiaolou which was more expensive but less 'ugly' than the other options which are Bailou and Qihaolou. My floor mostly consisted of Korean students and the floor above mostly Angolan students. The floor above, when I first got to Beijing was partying every night. It seemed the staff were scared to make the Angolan students quiet so let them go on 24 hours. Also right outside, the school is building another structure for additional classrooms. This operation seemed to be going on 22 hours at a time. Seriously, there was constant noise. You do get used to it though after a while. If you really want quiet I would opt for the less glamorous and cheaper Bailou. If you like the fun life, definitely go with Guojiaolou.
* Food:	Anyone that has been to China knows the problem with Chinese good. OIL and lots of it. That is why it is good to pick up those menus that people hand out and try ordering food. One you can practice your Chinese and two the food is delicious and three you don't have to tip!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I made good enough friends in my dorm that we went traveling for 1.5 months after class ended in July! The problem was that most of my friends weren't Chinese. The lingua-franca though is probably going to be Mandarin unless you make English speaking friends (which I don't recommend). It is interesting using Chinese to explain differences in cultures, and you will begin to notice patterns of Korean-Chinese speakers and Japanese-Chinese speakers etc. Their phonology, and even syntax differs because of the influence of their mother tongues.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:	There were really no problems with safety.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	No

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)

Language

Language acquisition improvement?	My language skills could have improved more. Time needs to be taken to memorize the vocabulary and construct coherent sentences with it.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university?	Exchange

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	If you come across difficulties be patient, things will get better. Be as pleasant as you can with the administration. And make lots and lots of Chinese friends.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Hanyu
Course Department:
Instructor:	Ding Laoshi
Instruction Language:	Chinese
Comments:	A challenging course with a humorous teacher. This was the only class that was taught by a professor and rightfully so. This class not only requires extensive knowledge of the Chinese language but the Chinese language and how it relates to history, economics, and law. Field trips were scheduled to museums and we were even talking about taking a trip to Zhejiang provice where Ding Laoshi is from, unfortunately it didn't happen, but he is open to that kind of stuff. It is easy not to participate in class and I didn't participate as much as I would have liked to. He says not to prepare for class, but I think some minor preparation and coming with some questions would actually make the class go smoother.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I got an elective credit for this. As it really doesn't have an equivalent at UH.

Course Name/Rating:	Speaking/Listening
Course Department:
Instructor:	Fu Laoshi
Instruction Language:	Chinese
Comments:	Fu Laoshi is probably the most patient teacher on the planet. She is open to different ways of thinking and is good at getting students to talk. She usually teaches class through new vocabulary and constructing sentences/paragraphs using the vocabulary. She also incorporates movies into the class which helps to make it a bit more fun. I participated a lot in the class because I like to talk, but for those who don't like to talk, this class will be more challenging. Fu Laoshi was always well prepared for class.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I got an elective credit for this class. Although I think it might be possible to get Chinese 311.

Course Name/Rating:	Reading/Writing
Course Department:
Instructor:	Ma Laoshi
Instruction Language:	Chinese
Comments:	Ma Laoshi is very strict and hard-working teacher. She is very quick to tell you when you're right and also very quick to tell you when you are wrong. The trouble is when there were grey areas and there were lots of disagreements during class. She usually resorted to the, "Because I am Chinese I just know this answer is correct." For me that is quite hard to accept. Ma Laoshi's strength is in her Chinese grammar. I always felt rushed in class (perhaps because this class we only had 2 times a week versus the others having 3 times). I would have liked to participate more in class.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I think it might be possible to get Chinese 331 although all I got was an elective credit.