Program needs work, but the people are great! Past Review
By A student (Communication, California State University - Fullerton) - abroad from 03/03/2014 to 07/18/2014 with
California State University - Fullerton: Shenyang: Com Study Abroad in China
Nothing I didn't already know, but allowed me to take care of things myself.
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. |
The program was fairly new when I joined, so much of it was created as I went. Classes changed frequently, and the ones that stayed were really easy. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Really needs a lot of work. Almost seemed like they didn't know what they were doing at times. Adding classes I didn't sign up for or not adding ones that I needed to graduate on time. The program was new, so I give it some slack, but seriously they need to fix their program immediately. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was great for international students. Had my own room, bathroom, 2 beds, view of the courtyard and other dorms. However someone forgot to mention they have a strict curfew and lock the front door of the dorm building at 10 pm (sometimes before that!) and then you are locked out for the night. Seriously 10 pm!? Had to call a neighbor or 2 a couple of times to let me in after 10 pm. They lock all the dorms early and if you try to ask the landlord to open the door, she ignores you by closing the curtains at her window. Words of advice: make friends with all your neighbors in your dorm building and have their phone numbers. You'll need a least 2 of them to let you in after curfew if you have a night life. |
| * Food: |
Food was amazing in China. Lots of good and weird things to order. Loved everything, just not the food on campus. It was ok to try once in awhile, but after a few weeks it got old. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Wasn't mentioned at all. They told us on the first day to take care of ourselves while on the program and that was it. I would hate to find out what would happened if someone did get hurt while there (probably just give them tea and tell them to sleep it off.) |
| * Safety: |
Maybe a little too safe. There's a lot of cameras and old security guards with flashlights walking around the place, although they don't really care about the foreign exchange students at all. Also there is a military base next to the campus, so from time to time you'll see army guys walking around with machine guns. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
The American dollar lasts awhile in China. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 500 RMB or $60 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't take normal taxes or rickshaws, they rip you off. Use public buses and subway systems. |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Chinese 101 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Practice, Practice, Practice |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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? | Everything. American credit cards are not used much in Shenyang, so be prepared to take out cash. Get familiar with the language and the land of China. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
