Go out and experience the city Past Review
By Anna (Brandeis University) - abroad from 08/28/2018 to 12/16/2018 with
CET Shanghai
I improved my language skills and got international work experience.
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. |
Great Chinese program, support from staff if wanted, I got stuck with new professors that made the academic portion of the program not so great |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Helpful staff to turn to if you needed assistance with anything |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great location at Donghua University |
| * Food: |
Cafeteria was decent and I suggest going there for plentiful, cheap options. Lots of restaurants are also relatively close by that I suggest going to as well. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Having a Chinese roommate was very helpful and I suggest you become friends with them so they can show you cool spots to go to. Don't be afraid to go out and do things on your own or with a friend, you learn more that way than being shown around. I've also had previous experience in China so the transition wasn't very challenging. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never needed to use the health insurance so I can't comment on how good it is. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I would do the same program but take other elective classes. |
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) |
Coming from NYC, transportation was cheap. I suggest using the bike sharing to get around the city. Food was also not very expensive, depending on where you go. If you want "western" food, it'll cost around the same as the states. Traveling is also relatively cheap depending on where you go. |
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 |
Chinese classes encouraged use outside the classroom, but your experience will depend how determined your classmates are to use the language as well. |
| 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 |
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? |
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? | How to take time to explore the city (and other cities) before the last month of the semester. |
