Three Great Months in Shanghai Past Review
By MARGARET F (International Relations and Affairs., University of the Pacific) for
China Study Abroad Reflections: Comprehensive Reviews of Past Programs
Yes, though the classes were not mind blowing, the experiences, trips, and every day adventures were.
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. |
Overall the effort of the professors and staff was great, but the classes simply lacked the critical thought and depth of most Pacific courses. The Chinese language courses, however, were absolutely excellent. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Staff were extremely helpful, nice, and very knowledgeable. |
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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? |
More travel and free time would definitely have been nice - but we did have and AMAZING week long trip to Taiwan and an excellent one day trip to Tongli, a nearby water town. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Shanghai was extremely safe. |
| 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? | Between 100 and 300 yuan. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Unanticipated expenses would include a bike and basic living supplies to furnish your apartment with. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 4th Semester |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
We had assigned Chinese student Language Partners who we could practice with, we could also practice with each other. But, overall, most practice took place outside the classroom, using the language every day in the real world. Many business people spoke English (at internships, etc.), but all interactions such as buying food, groceries, taking a cab or the subway, and just small talk were always in Chinese. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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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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