Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Brigham Young University - Weidman Center Study Abroad - China Past Review

By (Mechanical Engineering., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/15/2013 to 07/15/2013 with

China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was absolutely worthwhile, I gained so much experience, knowledge, friends, and contacts from it. I was very happy with the company and its facilities and my opportunities. I was very disappointed in BYU and their involvement.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

This was not an academic program. I did though gain real-world education in a number of areas such as language, culture, engineering, and organizational management.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

ATL Technology has great facilities in China for their interns

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in the factory dorms and had no problem with it, just remember to use the mosquito net!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any health issues, but China is the one of the last places I would want to go to visit a doctor.

* Safety:

Just don't be stupid

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)

All living expenses were covered by the company.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About $100 (mostly on traveling expenses - trains, taxis, buses)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't do a BYU internship, find an international internship outside of BYU.

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

I was very determined to learn as much as possible, I did not expect or need BYU to encourage me.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Chinese 201
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? Get an electronic dictionary, look up words you don't know right when you hear them, save them in a list on it, review over new ones every evening. I bought a Besta Chinese dictionary, used it for over a year, and I have been very pleased.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
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?
  • Working with locals
  • Speaking another language
* What could be improved?
  • Pay rate
  • Student prep (by BYU)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I would like to have studied the geography and history of the region better to more fully understand the culture.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer
Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'