The Dragons Don't Bite: My Experience in Beijing Past Review
By Sadie H (Economics, Business, Trinity University) for
China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
My study abroad experience in Beijing reaffirmed my decision to continue learning Chinese. I know for sure that I want to return to China one day.
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 |
My questions were always answered promptly by program admin, and I felt well taken care of. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The dorm was known to be one of the nicest on campus. The rooms weren't large, but they were set up such that compartmentalizing came easily. The location of the campus is really convenient. There is a subway station, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife within easy walking distance. The dorms are cleaned by staff everyday, and bedding is changed bi-weekly. |
| * Food: |
Cafeteria food seemed a bit unvaried, but overall not bad. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
On weekend field trips we explored Beijing, for example, visiting the Forbidden city, and touring the old Hutongs. On a longer field trip we went to Xiahe, a Tibetan city in Gansu province. This was a really incredible experience and showed me another side of China. |
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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? | $90, but you can survive on much less. If I was just buying food, probably less than $35 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try not to get scammed by friendly-seeming people who bring you to tea-houses. Also, don't forget to haggle. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
We were assigned language tutors to practice Chinese with, and the teachers were also to spend their own time with us if we wanted more practice. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I think this program would be great for many students who want to develop Chinese language skills, at any level. Who wouldn't want to learn about China's intricate culture, history, and current modern development as a nation? |
