Study Chinese All Day Everyday, In and Out of the Classroom Past Review
By A student (Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/28/2019 to 12/14/2019 with
CET Harbin
I learned a lot of Chinese, but also a lot about the culture and people. I learned a lot about Harbin and it’s history. It was definitely worthwhile, though fairly rigorous academically.
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Though not perfect, the program worked really well and suited my goals and needs. The small class sizes mean a lot of personalized attention, and fairly frequent assessments mean good indicators of progress throughout the course, they also allow no one assessment to be weighted too heavily. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The academic staff are all extremely proficient at the unique set of skills helpful for teaching a foreign language, and all quite kind even as they might be strict. The living administration are excellent and wonderfully helpful with any needs you may have outside of the academic world. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Though different from a Wellesley dorm, the living arrangements with the other Americans nearby but Chinese roommates facilitated discussion as well as supporting the language pledge while in the dorm. |
* Food: |
The food is good and clean jn the dining halls. It is fairly cheap as well. There is also a nice selection within walking distance from campus if you choose to eat away from the cafeterias. |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I think the roommates give an excellent opportunity to learn more about the culture and try various other habits or customs. The separation of the CET students from other university students means the class experience is different, but the system is carefully set up to fit American students and a fairly American learning style with Chinese teachers. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had a personal need for healthcare while abroad. Those in my program who did had fairly positive experiences. |
* Safety: |
I never felt unsafe while abroad, however, I did not go out late on the weekends like some people in my program, nor did I go out alone with any regularity. |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program vastly increased my chinese capabilities and fit my goals and needs quite well. |
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) |
The expenses for food, WiFi, etc were all fairly cheap or reasonable, and pretty much any necessary cost was communicated before the program started. |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent about 50-70 dollars a week, though more meeting the end when I bought gifts for family and friends back home. |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The cafeteria and stalls on campus are your friends, they are pretty cheap and have clean food. The market also has cheap snacks. Air drying your clothes can save a fair bit of time and money. |
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 |
There was a language pledge to speak no English unless alone on a call home. This was a strict pledge, truly enforced and encouraged. |
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? | 301 |
How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Try to keep up the language before you go to ease the first week or two. Watching some Chinese television or listening to podcasts over the summer or winter break can help, or having a conversational partner. The first weeks of the pledge will be hard, but its payoff is not to be understated. |
Other Program Information
* 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? |
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? | This program won’t be easy, but they truly all want you to succeed. If you have any questions about your grades or their expectations or your progress, never be afraid to ask, they’re more than willing to answer or help. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
One on One |
Course Department: | CET |
Instructor: | Professor Han |
Instruction Language: | Chinese |
Comments: | The course was challenging, and the expectations were sometimes higher than felt achievable compared to other classes, but the assessments were made very constructive and expectations were clear. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
Two on One |
Course Department: | CET |
Instructor: | |
Instruction Language: | Chinese |
Comments: | The Two on One drill class is one of the CET strengths. The practice and indigo dual attention to pronunciation as well as small grammar errors elevates it. The class had excellently chosen readings to improve conversational capabilities. The field trips and excursions to practice each weeks lessons were engaging and fun. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
Literature |
Course Department: | CET |
Instructor: | |
Instruction Language: | Chinese |
Comments: | This class had high expectations and a very quick pace. The listening quizzes were the most of any of my classes, but fit the class and the characters required for the readings to be discussed. The readings were well chosen, though most were somewhat tragic and there was only one female author. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |
Course Name/Rating: |
Speaking |
Course Department: | CET |
Instructor: | |
Instruction Language: | Chinese |
Comments: | This class was extremely well paced. The course was infinitely applicable and extremely well designed to increase speaking capability though the topics of vocabulary and the grammar patterns introduced. |
Credit Transfer Issues: |