My Chinese speaking ability improved dramatically Past Review
By apittman (International Relations and Affairs., Tufts University) for
Capital University of Economics and Business: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
The language pledge is serious, making the overall environment of the program very intense. You choose this program to learn Chinese, not to have a fun study abroad experience. My Chinese speaking ability improved dramatically. However, despite living in Beijing I did not feel I experienced the city. The administrators take the view that everyone on the program is serious about Chinese and thus will find other opportunities to come back to China and experience the culture.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Capital University of Bussiness and Economics |
| The term and year this program took place: | Summer 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The teachers are excellent, the method works, your chinese will markedly improve. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Good with helping with administrative problems, visas ect. Not overly helpful with more general issues. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Small dorm where only students in the program live. <br /><br /> The university is not in the ideal part of town, its in the business district where there are many expats and few other Chinese universities. The dorm facilities are fine, but it is possible to never leave the building because you live, study, and go to class all under one roof. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My week consisted of 4 hours of class a day, 4 hours of studying a day, going to the gym for an hour a day to keep sane, sleeping. Most students go to expat bars on the weekends, hanging out with other ACC students, join in on the sight seeing tour on Saturday and study all day Sunday. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | You must buy your own food on the program, I spent 6-40 RMB a day on food depending on how much and where you eat out. Some group tours you must buy your own entry ticket, but not more the 20 RMB a week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Lots of shopping opportunities, and strict baggage allowance means many students end up shipping luggage home and the end of the semester. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
The improvement was dramatic, could have been more if I was more committed to the studying. However, it comes at the price of a social life. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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