China Is Worth The Jet Lag Past Review
By Hannah C (Chinese Language and Literature., The College of William and Mary) for
China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Yes. I am considering going back to continue working on my language skills.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
A lot is expected of students. Memorization is key. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sometimes, there were major disagreements between students, and I think the program heads did not know how to respond. Academically, it was a good program. However, the immersion culture classes were too difficult for some of the students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in a nice area of town, and my host family was wonderful. However, it was a little far from campus, which made going out with classmates a little more difficult. |
| * Food: |
Fruit market on campus is a good place to go as long as you remember to wash and peel everything. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Traveling at the end of semester was incredible. Every two weeks we would also go on a weekend trip to someplace fairly local. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never felt threatened even when walking by myself at night in the city. Learn to navigate traffic (when to cross the street). When in doubt, follow the locals. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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? | Get a public transportation card. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 200 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
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Other Program Information
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* 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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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Be prepared to work. This program is not for the faint of heart, but you will learn so much in a short time and see so many historic places. |
