Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A Good Experience - but watch out! Past Review

By (International Relations And Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/02/2013 to 12/13/2013 with

CIEE: Shanghai - China in a Global Context

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Don't expect foreign people to know your customs and expectations or even respect them. Worthwhile to be able to travel and live in a different country.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Academia was not as intense as my home university. Cool access to The Economist and other academic resources though.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Was originally set up with a CIEE roommate but when she got her first choice of a Chinese host family, I was forced to live with a Chinese roommate because CIEE wouldn't allow me to live alone. Also-- the bedding/mattress was horrible. Harder than sleeping on the floor.

* Food:

The on campus cafeteria that they advertised was under construction during the semester I was there so getting food was the biggest hassle and inconvenience. Knowing beforehand this was going to be an issue would have been much better.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Smog was terrible towards the end and the program tried to help by giving us face masks, but air humidifiers would have been better.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Because the cafeteria was not open and you HAD to go off campus to get food, I would spend more money on outside food.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100+
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Make sure the cafeteria is actually open!!!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

I like that they encouraged the commitment, but not in the dorms. The girl's RA made it uncomfortable to live there and speak English as she would yell down the halls to speak Chinese, although some didn't even know how to say hello. That was unfair.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 5 semesters of Chinese
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Traveling
* What could be improved?
  • Dorm Amenities
  • Food options
  • Some food included
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That getting food was going to be a hassle and everything costs extra!!

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.