A great time in Nanjing Past Review
By John B (Music Education, The University of Texas at Austin) for
CIEE: Nanjing - Intensive Chinese Language and Culture
I now look at my own country differently. I improved Chinese greatly and gained a lot of motivation to continue. I made some very good friends. Future plans are still uncertain, but I am now considering using Chinese in whatever I do in the future.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very easy to settle in, very nice rooms. |
| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My program went on several great trips, and all the students were friends with each other. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I never got sick or had any problems. Traffic is the most dangerous thing in China. Other than that, chemicals in food was a concern, as well as generally unhealthy food sold at restaurants. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Large meals could be eliminated but they were after all enjoyable. I don't remember any unexpected expenses. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3rd semester Chinese |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Natives; yes; no |
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? | Everyone should study abroad. I'm not the same person after getting back to the US. I've never been to other countries but I'm glad I chose China. Plenty of opportunities to use Chinese and most importantly, live and interact with the people there. |
