New Outlook on Chinese Locals Past Review
By James H (BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES., Trinity University) for
CIEE: Beijing - Intensive Chinese Language
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 |
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
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. |