Beijing Winter on the Texas Bones Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload is heavy at first, then still heavy but manageable after I acclimated. The program combines ideal teacher to student ratios with heavy interaction between teachers and students. Your daily schedule will probably be something like this: (There are 5-10 minute breaks between classes) 8:25 Big Class Begins- Group Reading of the day's text Vocabulary Quiz Questions are asked about the text, with emphasis on use of new vocabulary and grammar 9:30 Small Class Begins- This is drilling the days vocab and grammar 10:30 Small Class Continues- This varies between a topic-based conversation, everyone giving their reports on a topic, supplementary material handed out, read and discussed or more drilling. 11:30 Break for Lunch M-Th 12:30-3:00- one-on-one, one-on-two classes

On-site administration of your program

The program administration overall was awesome. The program-led outings were hit or miss, but largely worth going on. There are American resident directors who have been through the program in the past and know run them, as well as the Chinese administration. This means students can talk to someone on the other side, who has been through it all before and understands student concerns and common issues. However, the majority of the faculty are experienced foreign language instructors and have intimate experience working with American students. They are generally familiar with the American style of learning and our many other idiosyncrasies.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorm is right next to the classroom buildings. Most of the students pretty much rolled out of bed and strolled into class, which of course was convenient almost to a fault. The dorm is pretty nice for pampered foreigners, considering most Chinese college students are four or eight to a room, often without air-conditioning. They were all single rooms set up to accommodate two roommates; a bed (sheets, blankets and pillows provided), bookshelf, desk and armoire. Cable internet was in every room and Ethernet chords were cheap. The showers and bathrooms are shared by the students on each floor. There is a kitchen shared by the entire dorm on the first floor (the Chinese make more use of this than the foreign students because restaurants are so cheap); a reading-room on the third floor with very limited reading material (I never really found the time, but its a great place to study when the dorm room gets too stuffy); and an activity-room on the fourth floor that has an upright piano pleasantly out-of-tune and a massive big-screen for anyone to watch some Chinese television (a great idea) or movies.

Its China. What more do I need to say? Perhaps this: there are more kinds Chinese food than most Americans would ever think possible. If you are a vegetarian, I suggest either accept a little bit of meat here and there, eat the vegetables in a dish with a little meat for instance, or find a few things that work (hint: egg dishes) and branch out from there. For vegans, you will have a very hard time finding awesome vegan meals and will have to be vigilant in staying healthy. It wish I could say it was going to be easy, but it won't. Plan accordingly.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was amazing; an irreplaceable, life-changing experience, not really relatable in words. Going to the Simatai Great Wall, still more-or-less preserved in its original state, was by far CET's best trip and it was completely awesome. Trekking out with friends or by yourself on adventures is best and probably the most memorable. Do not be afraid to buy train tickets to another city for a weekend. Travel is cheap in China if you aren't expecting the sort of amenities available in the states. I encourage anyone to take full advantage.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

China is pretty much safer than the average major American city. No guns, low violent crime-rates, etc., but the pollution, traffic conditions, and public health hazards (don't drink the tap-water, etc.) were sometimes annoying. There is a whole round of recommended vaccinations available for people going to China. Check out the schools travel clinic or find one in the area. Unquestionably worth the time, treasure and trouble.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

My Chinese roommate, other Chinese roommates in the dorm, our teachers, the building attendants and any random Chinese person in any situation whatsoever. Chinese are generally very approachable and friendly.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans

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• Americans