Beijing gave me one of the best times of my life! Past Review
By Jasheah H (Broadcasting and Mass Communication and Language and International Trade, SUNY - College at Oswego) - abroad from 08/18/2014 to 12/19/2015 with
Capital Normal University: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I gained a new language, new friends, and a new mindset. It was DEFINITELY worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Everyday we had Chinese Language classes from 8:30 am to 11:55 pm. These classes consisted of Speaking, Writing/Reading, and Listening. Everyday we had two of the three classes. The material that was taught in the classrooms were vital to our everyday interaction with the Chinese natives. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The school and the Capa program allowed for our overseer to live on the same campus as the students in the Capa Program. The school and our mentor always were easily accessible whenever we had a problem. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The school was very nice. Each student had the option of sharing a room with one other international student or living alone. My room had a bathroom, two beds, a television, two armoires, and two desks. |
| * Food: |
There were multiple restaurants in the area. They were all very affordable. Generally, I would pay $1.85 for a full meal. There were also two cafeterias on campus. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The dorms that we lived housed students from all over the world, including Russia, Italy, Grenada, France, and many more. We all were friends and learned eachothers' culture each day. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Health Care was easily accessible and affordable. One time I had to go to the hospital because I ate too much spicy food. The wait to see a doctor was long, however I was prescribed medication that was effective. |
| * Safety: |
Beijing is the safest city that I have ever been to. Whether it's 5am or 5pm, the city is extremely safe and calm. I have not experienced nor heard of any criminal activity while there. |
| 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) |
Very easily, $100 or less a week. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-$150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save big shopping for when you are going back home. |
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 |
Barely any of the Beijing natives that you would come across in a day speaks English. I had to learn the language in order to live a smoother, more comfortable life in Beijing. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | Spanish |
| 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? | Study everyday after class when the information is fresh in your mind. Speak the language as much as you can, whether with natives or other friends who are learning the language as well. |
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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| 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? | I definitely needed to know the language. If Capa did not offer the language classes from the Capital Normal University, I do not know how I would have been able to live comfortably in Beijing. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
