After becoming fluent, I just wanted to come home! Past Review
By Dillon K (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 08/25/2013 to 12/13/2013 with
CET Beijing
I gained the ability to speak Chinese freely and listen fluently. The experience was definitely worthwhile, but I only said I wouldn't do it again because of how difficult it was. Not saying I don't like a challenge, but living in China is not something I'd want to do again right now.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
If you haven't taken an upper division language course before, then you are in for a rude awakening. The entire semester was jam packed with vocabulary. I recommend taking tons of flashcards with you abroad because you will be learning so many new words. CET Beijing was intense, and it made me pretty much fluent in Chinese... there isn't anything more that I can ask for. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The CET campus is fairly small, and you will become familiar with the people who work there intimately with you. I found myself not wanting to disappoint them. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had my own room because I requested not to have a roommate. I recommend that each person that studies abroad should have a roommate. It would have made the experience more fun I think. |
| * Food: |
Food in China is pretty hit and miss... At least for my diet... I want to look for as much protein as possible, and finding that was a challenge on my budget. I ate dumplings for breakfast every morning.... those were delicious.. and the small dumpling shop is right outside the gates of campus. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't feel that integrated with the local culture because I like to keep to myself mostly. You will get the opportunity to get to know the food sellers and shopkeepers though. It is what you make of it. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I kept getting respiratory infections in Bejing, and I think that was due to the poor air quality. I also worked out a lot outside.... that might have been a mistake. |
| * Safety: |
When you're studying abroad, don't be dumb. You're probably going to get drunk at least a couple of times a month, and you need to make sure there is someone with you. There are two instances that occurred while I was studying abroad that could have ended much worse... both of those incidences involved alcohol! |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
I was given 100$ a week from my parents, and I was able to survive. I eat 6 times a day, so most of my money was spent on food. I managed to save around 4000 kuai by the end of the semester, and I went on a shopping spree. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 exactly |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I saved money by not splurging immediately on everything that I saw and wanted. |
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 |
Depending on how disciplined you are, you can go the entire semester without speaking a word of English. I think that's pretty fantastic that the environment promotes that. |
| 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? | 412K |
| 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? | Opt to have a roommate if you want to practice the language.. also do not break the language pledge. You'll come back to America thankful that you can speak another language fluently. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew how to express myself in Chinese before going. I also wish I knew how valuable having a roommate would be. Wish I knew I wouldn't be able to train at the gym I wanted to train at :(. (they said I was too old) |
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! |
