The Most Rewarding Experience of My Life Thus Far. Past Review
By Jaime A (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University / Virginia Tech) - abroad from 05/16/2014 to 06/06/2014 with
Chinese Language Institute / CLI: Guilin - Study Abroad and Intensive Mandarin Language Program
I gained an extraordinary insight into the Chinese culture and language. I left America not being able to speak a word of Mandarin and returned being able to speak full sentences. For me, the trip was truly the most rewarding experience. I learned of my ability to adapt to new environments and how quick I was able to pickup the language. I was able to explore the world outside of America and experience a world outside if my element. I could not have asked for a better experience abroad and a large part of what made it great was CLI.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The programs at CLI challenge you to study and learn Mandarin on your own terms, while pushing you to recognize the simple connections within the language itself. CLI has a number of valuable resources at your disposal and will diligently work with you to get you to your desired level of speaking, writing, and reading Mandarin. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
CLI was well prepared for our arrival and worked with us to ensure we were placed in the correct language courses. Everything from our classes to extracurricular excursions ran flawlessly. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Overall, I was pleased with our living arrangements. Despite the beds being rather hard and at times squeaky, I felt comfortable for the duration of my stay. When traveling to China, you must keep in mind that they have a different standard of living. |
| * Food: |
For our program, we had breakfast and lunch at CLI every week day (we were outside Guilin on the weekends). The food was always fully prepared and ready to eat as soon as we got to the kitchen. They always mixed up the menu and allowed us to try a variety of Chinese dishes. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt completely immersed within the Chinese culture. I was able to interact with the local people on a daily basis, which allowed me to learn and appreciate the rich culture China has to offer. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any health issues during my time in China. However, my roommate felt under the weather for a few days and CLI made sure she was fully taken care of. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt unsafe throughout my travels or worried about my well being. The only thing that you really have to watch for is pickpocketing, especially on crowded buses and areas. |
| 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) |
The currency in China is about 16/1 in American dollars. Though it might seem as if you are spending a lot based on their numbers alone, a weeks worth of spending was quite inexpensive. It also depends on how much you buy and where you go. If you eat a lot of local Chinese dishes, the bill will be inexpensive, but foreign foods / chains will always be much more expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | For my 3 weeks in Guilin, I spent roughly 200 dollars. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't try to eat foreign foods unless you really need that fix. It will bring your spending up tremendously and you don't get to experience the fantastic foods China has to offer. |
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 |
CLI encouraged us to use Chinese whenever possible. We used it talking to the cooks in the morning, our teachers during class, other CLI students at lunch, and the locals when we went out in the afternoons. I was speaking Chinese everyday for at least half of the day. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had no experience learning Chinese prior to our trip. |
| 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? | Definitely engage with everyone around you. Try speaking to CLI's employees (who are all fluent). The best resources CLI can offer are giving you the change to engage with local Chinese students, teachers, and everyone at local restaurants. Make a Chinese friend and talk to them as much as possible! |
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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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I packed less clothes. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
