Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Food Tourism in Taiwan January 09, 2023

By (Chinese, Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/24/2022 to 11/19/2022 with

CET Taiwan

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I improved my language dramatically, which was my goal. Thus, I feel it was worthwhile.

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.

Overall experience was limited due to COVID restrictions still present in the country. For example local roommates, a promised component of the CET program, were unavailable due to COVID restrictions. More opportunities to see the country outside of the classroom during the week would have been appreciated, but again COVID restrictions played a role in these limitations.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was more than adequate and accessible to public transportation

* Food:

Cheap and Tasty

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Well integrated, especially with the help of my language partners

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Taipei was incredibly safe while I was there

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I think the shortcomings of my program would likely be ironed out with the ending/reduction of COVID restrictions that have already occurred in Taiwan.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? rougly 150 USD
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat out at dumpling shops

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
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? An intermediate Chinese course
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Find language partners and figure out how you learn best, then utilize those methods.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Being in Taiwan
  • The administrators
  • The extracurricular activities available
* What could be improved?
  • Workload in the Language Class, did a lot of homework/busy work
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To expect to work hard and also how easy using the bus system to get in an around Taipei is.

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 Linguist
You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate Chinese 2
Course Department: CLD
Instructor:
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments: The course was challenging, but improved my language dramatically
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Cross-Strait Relations between Taiwan and China INTR 320
Course Department: CET
Instructor:
Instruction Language: English
Comments: Instructor's expectations for graded work was unclear and inconsistent. Field trips were a nice added component of the class and provided sufficient supplemental information.
Credit Transfer Issues: