Awesome Language Experience Past Review
By Keith C (Chinese Language, Literature, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/07/2015 to 01/18/2016 with
CIEE: Taipei - Communications, Business & Political Economy
Although most of my classes were in English, what I found most enriching was the fact that most of life was spent immersed in the language and culture. However, Taiwan is extremely globalized and has the availability to lead students down a path where they can avoid speaking any Chinese at all. This is a detriment. I realized that I learned most Chinese (and students around me as well) when I spent most of my time setting pride aside, and diving head first in using the language. It was definitely worth every second.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
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? |
Other than living up the mountain away from the better half of civilization, the accommodations were top notch and very comfortable. I was put up at the newest student dorm, had one roommate, and a bathroom inside the room. Comparable to American dorms. |
| * Food: |
There's no meal plan at the university, but food is readily available around and right outside of campus. However, the quality of food cannot be assured around campus. In terms of price, no meal cost more than 4-5 USD. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program provided students with cultural ambassadors - local student buddies, if you will. This helped my transition to adapting to local culture much smoother. It also helps with the language improvement to speak to your ambassador in the language. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Very modern, very western. Also, had the availability of the Chinese Medicine option, which I chose not to take. |
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| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 USD |
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 |
The program did make us sign a language agreement, however, did not strictly enforce it. The usage of the language was very much up to the individual students. However, those who used it the most, found it most beneficial and improved tremendously. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | CHI 320L |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Take advantage of having a local student as a buddy to practice speaking with. I had to tell my buddy to correct me when I make mistakes with the language, and it turned out to help much more. A lot of students also choose to spend most of their time with the other American or Foreign students. Those that chose to spend most of their time with the local Taiwanese students, and used Chinese on a day to day basis found the most improvement. Spending time with foreign and American students, in my opinion, is something that can be done when I get back to America - but not while i'm on study abroad to learn the Chinese language and about the Taiwanese culture. |
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? | Where the program field trips were going to be; the heavy emphasis on religion. |
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! |
