Studying in China Past Review

By (Music Education, New Mexico State University) - abroad from 03/05/2012 to 07/06/2012 with

Donghua University: Shanghai - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I met a lot of people from many different places and had a wonderful international experience.

Review Photos

Donghua University: Shanghai - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Donghua University: Shanghai - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo Donghua University: Shanghai - Direct Enrollment & Exchange Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 60

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
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? Listen to tapes, the hardest part about the language was adapting to the accent of the local people, so listening to people speak Chinese would be very helpful.

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

  • 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?
  • Food
  • Teachers
  • Culture
* What could be improved?
  • classes schedule
  • administration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Going into this program without knowing any Chinese was a mistake mostly because all of the staff from the dorms and from the school only speak Chinese, and expect all students to speak Chinese, so note knowing any Chinese made things difficult.