Exploring China while learning Chinese language and culture Past Review
By A student (Chemical Engineering., University of Tulsa) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 05/25/2012 with
China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Not only did I gain new language skills which have already proven useful on a campus with many Chinese exchange students, but I also gained much more self-reliance. Sometimes you will find yourself in situations where you don't know how to communicate exactly what it is you're trying to say, but the learning part comes when you keep on trying to be creative and come up with a unique way to get across what you mean anyway. I think my time in China was completely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The Alliance program in Xi'an provided an excellent student to teacher ratio of 3 or 4 to one. The teachers were all very enthusiastic about teaching Chinese and setting appropriate requirements. As my first experience studying Mandarin Chinese in a classroom setting I was very interested in seeing how much I could learn and my two teachers were very helpful in encouraging this interest, often taking time from their own schedule to answer questions or just chat after classes were dismissed. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program director had a very good attitude about his work in Xi'an and this was visible through his open friendliness to the newly arrived students. He also takes his responsibility for his students seriously as exemplified by one instance when we were traveling in Western China. I came down with traveling sickness and was unable to participate in group activities for three straight days. Our program director not only stayed behind with me at our main hotel, but also made sure I had any water, food, or medicine I might need. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing arrangement for international students consisted of staying a hotel on campus. Room service came and cleaned the rooms at least one or twice a week and made sure trash bags and toilet paper were restocked on a daily basis. The floors in the rooms were tile and the beds were a little bit hard. Once or twice when room service was cleaning the room they also decided to clear my desk which resulted in the disposal of some of my notes that I wasn't quite done with. In general very friendly |
| * Food: |
I listened to the program's advice about being wary of street vendor's food and whilst in Xi'an did not suffer any ill effects from food consumption. There is a whole street just east of campus with a large variety of shops and small restaurants that provided a diverse selection of local foods. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I know this might sound cliche, but its true, by the end of my stay in Xi'an I felt like I was leaving some piece of me behind. I made many of my first friends playing sports around the track, basketball and badminton courts. The area around the campus seems somehow separated from the hustle and bustle one would expect in a city of over 7 million, and I think it was this feeling along with the friendly staff of one the coffee shops on Shi Da road that made me almost feel at home there. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
As mentioned above, my only severe experience with health issues occurred while we were traveling and these were dealt with to the best of the ability of the program director. |
| * Safety: |
As a male student I myself never felt particularly unsafe while in Xi'an, however it should be noted that there are pickpockets in crowded places which are common. In one specific incident a classmate was examining the wares of a salesperson on the side of the road, during which time she was careful to keep her hand over the purse in which she was carrying her iPhone. She was suddenly pushed from behind and as she fell forward she put her hands out to catch herself. In the the 3 to 4 seconds it took for her to recover someone had snatched iPhone right out of her purse. This was the only incident of this nature that I am aware of. On road safety, the only thing to be said is that there is no pedestrian right of way so great care must be taken when crossing streets, especially large streets. |
| 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) |
A typical Chinese meal could be easily found for less than two dollars, although more expensive fare is also available. Western food is, of course, more expensive and can range greatly in price. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I would usually spend between 100 and 200 RenMinBi equivalent to 20 to 40 dollars |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you like the food and don't mind being adventurous go out and try some of the smaller food shops, they're usually cheaper than sit-down restaurants and taste just as good if not better (as long as you find the right ones). Food costs will likely be your biggest expense, so if you can cut expenses here you save much more overall. Don't forget that water must either be bought in a bottle or boiled. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
In between classes we were expected to speak only Chinese and outside of class we were encouraged to speak as much and as frequently as possible |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None |
| 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? | Be friendly, don't just hang out with the other Americans, try to find new Chinese friends who are willing to help you practice Chinese. The more time you spend with them the more likely you'll be to see large improvements in your own language skills. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | To learn a new language you must completely throw yourself into it, trying as hard as you can to think it whenever you want to say anything. Also, ask questions all the time, chances are the people around you will be willing to help, I certainly made more than one friend that I still keep in touch with this way. |
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! |
