New Outlook on Chinese Locals Past Review

By (BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES., Trinity University) for

CIEE: Beijing - Intensive Chinese Language

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained more cultural knowledge than language knowledge in this experience. It definitely opened my eyes to lots of things I never thought was prevalent before. I would still look to work in China, but not in the near future.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Workload was rather large at times; however, it was always doable. Grading system was fair because it took into account that students were foreigners learning a difficult language.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Always there when you need them. Nothing to complain about.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Everything was kind of run-down in the dorm and the room was quite small. There wasn't really a way to cook.

* Food:

Nothing too great on campus nor off campus. Many found themselves at McDonald's often.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The friends you meet in the program really make your time there pass by much faster.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Beijing is a relatively safe city. Just don't go out looking for trouble.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? About 200 yuan a week.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Going out on weekends would be like spending money here in the US. Otherwise, everything else can be much more inexpensive.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Everybody was assigned a tutor that they had to meet with quite often. The teachers never spoke in English, so we would have to communicate in Chinese.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Students who are looking to enroll in some intensive language courses, yet have a good time.