Harbin: Intense...In a Good Way Past Review

By (Cultural Studies of Medicine, Tufts University) for

CET Harbin

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

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The residential and academic staff are amazing! They are both knowledgeable, accessible and friendly and helped me solve nearly every problem I encountered.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Very safe and convenient location. The study/common room got a little crowded sometimes, and the dorm could use some renovating, but, overall, it was a great set-up.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Great travel opportunities! For example, hiking along the Great Wall between North Korea and China, spending the weekend in the countryside, etc.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

It feels incredibly safe to be a Westerner in China.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I usually didn't spend more than $30 per week on everything.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? None.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Chinese 21
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

There was a very strict language pledge and no one spoke English with me. I practiced regularly with my teachers, the other students, my Chinese roommate, Chinese friends I made throughout the semester and local Harbin residents.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Take it one day at a time.