Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Shanghai, a magical city Past Review

By (Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/13/2019 to 06/02/2019 with

CET Shanghai

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my Chinese language ability and got to experience Chinese culture

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.

CET is a very academically rigorous program and students can choose to add an internship component. However with the addition of the internship and the workload of the classes not much time is available to explore the city.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The staff at CET is amazing and is always available to answer any questions with everything you need.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Students are housed in the international student dormitory with a local roommate. The location of the campus is amazing with convenient access to the subway. The rooms are much smaller than average dorm rooms at American universities

* Food:

The cafeteria food is good and also much cheaper than off campus options. There is also a few malls in walking distance of the campus and many restaurants within walking distance for students to go to if they don't feel like going to the cafeteria.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

All students live with a local roommate so in order to ease the transition and facilitate cross cultural learning. My roommate was amazing and I learned so much about Chinese culture including being able to visit her hometown and a Chinese wedding. However, being integrated into Chinese culture was hard for me as a black American as I felt like I would never "blend in."

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

i never had to use the health insurance thankfully but the people on the programs who did had successful experiences. Before going on this programs I received all the vaccines recommended by the CDC as well as a tetanus booster shot.

* Safety:

I never felt unsafe while participating in this program.

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)

Budgeting was very easy in China.

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eating at the Cafeteria is cheaper than eating off campus.

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

We had at least 6 hours of Chinese every week. 5 hours of class( 1 your each day) and then 1 hour of one on one classes. Also every other week we would also have Chinese table which is when the program participants and the language teachers go to a Chinese restaurant for lunch and only speak Chinese. The program also offered Chinese movie nights and when going into the office everyone would speak in Chinese as much as possible.

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Location
  • Local Roommate
  • Elective Classes
* What could be improved?
  • More content in orientation about identity
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how to better balance my courses, and internship so that I can better explore the city.

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 Urbanite
A 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.