Chinese all day every day, amazing friends and amazing cultural engagement Past Review
By Susanna D (Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 01/13/2015 to 05/09/2015 with
China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
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Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $20-30 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are living in a dorm, go grocery shopping instead of just eating out. Even though Beijing is wicked cheap, it does add up if you never cook your own food. If you're in a homestay, make sure it's okay with your parents that you cook if you want to. Because homestay parents are making food for you, you don't want to send the wrong message by bringing home your own. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Chinese level 2 part 1 |
| 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? | Engage with everything! If you're in a homestay, interact with your homestay parents; if you're in a dorm, talk to your Chinese roommates. Try to make friends and do what the locals do-- your language will improve this way, and naturally so. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | n |
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