What the China? Past Review
By Helena S (Plan Ii, The University of Texas at Austin) for
CET Shanghai
I think my language abilities jumped up so far it made all the craziness worthwhile. I also made a lasting bond with my roommate and will never forget the people I met and friendships I made there.
Review Photos
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. |
Though the workload is tough, and you won't sleep, you will get a lot out of the experience--your language will improve and you'll make some fast friends. |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I thought all of the faculty was extremely enthusiastic. They were always eager to help, and were quite strict on their rules. However, communication could be an issue sometimes--we would get emails hours before they were applicable, sometimes with deadlines included. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our dorm was right next to class and the subway, my roommate was amazing, and sheets and things were provided for us. |
* Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our program arranged a fantastic field trip to Wenzhou, it was exhausting, but in three days we went to the beach, a Daoist temple on a mountain top, and a series of natural pools and waterfalls. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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* Safety: |
Don't eat too much street food! It's okay every once in awhile, but sometimes it can make you really sick (like no moving for a week sick). I never went to a doctor there, but I heard it wasn't easy and was quite expensive. I didn't need any vaccines (but I've been there and possibly had them before so don't listen to me). |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I really wish I knew our food wouldn't be taken care of. My last program (a maymester through UT) had put money on our cafeteria card, and I expected the same. However, the program pays for only housing, water, internet, and classes. |
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 412L |
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced with my roommate every day (she wasn't supposed to speak English with me). No, most people did not speak English, I spoke Chinese with almost all of my local interactions. |
Other Program Information
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Get started on your caffeine addiction now, and bring lots of UTexas stuff for the roommates. |
Individual Course Reviews
Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced-Intermediate Chinese |
Course Department: | Chinese 300 |
Instructor: | Xu Xiaoyuan |
Instruction Language: | Chinese |
Comments: | Extremely rigorous, but the teacher was knowledgeable, and overall quite patient. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | I haven't done credit transfer yet. |
Course Name/Rating: |
History of Modern Shanghai |
Course Department: | none |
Instructor: | Maura Cunningham |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | This professor really knew her subject. The class was interesting and engaging and I would take it again without credit in a heartbeat. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Not yet! |
Course Name/Rating: |
Internship |
Course Department: | none |
Instructor: | none |
Instruction Language: | English |
Comments: | Valuable in work experiences, most definitely. |
Credit Transfer Issues: | Haven't transferred yet. |