first world city in a third world country Past Review
By Paige Brown (Trinity University) - abroad from 02/15/2016 to 05/28/2016 with
IES Abroad: Shanghai - Economy, Business & Society
to push yourself outside of you comfort zone and isolate yourself from your program...don't rely too much on the comfort/luxury of your program
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 |
would have liked more tourist/cultural activities or more meals provided/paid for. Transportation for farewell ceremony was not provided and a big issue. For those who had visa/passport issues, the program did not help or assist students, they only provided the address of the student's appropriate embassy and made them pay additional visa fees that students were not prepared to pay. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
only paid for first two meals during trip. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
location of program was perfect, program allowed a lot of students freedom to explore the city/travel within the country |
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? | $100 |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 4th year Chinese language class |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | homestay! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | make sure to purchase VPN beforehand |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
