Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Smells like garbage, but experience worth its weight in gold. Past Review

By (Mechanical Engineering., Brigham Young University) - abroad from 05/02/2013 to 07/08/2013 with

China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about how a factory operates in China and a lot about the working mentality of the local Chinese people.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The company took good care of me.

* Food:

The food was wonderful and I definitely got enough to eat every day. This is one of the most important parts of the trip to me.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was plenty of opportunity to integrate with the local culture (especially since I was working with them 8 hours a day and getting paid equivalent wages with them).

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had to deal with any health issues.

* Safety:

I felt like the city was pretty safe, however, the local people referred to it as a very trashy place and warned me to look out for robbery.

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)

I didn't do much travel, nor did I go out to eat except for on the weekend. I would spend half of my "salary" per weekend because I had my wife there

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about $75, but that was for my wife as well, and that wouldn't be a travelling weekend (travelling meaning going downtown)
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you want to go anywhere special, bring your own money. If you want to save money... travel less, eat at the factory as often as you can and avoid taxis as often as you can (the bus is a lot cheaper).

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Other
* 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?
  • Food
  • The people at work
* What could be improved?
  • The application process
  • BYU's master agreement with companies
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how expensive it is to have your wife there when she does not have a job in China.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.