An Unforgettable Trip Past Review
By Amanda Mapes (Northern Illinois University) - abroad from 06/15/2016 to 06/26/2016 with
International Business Seminars: Summer China
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
What it is like to stand out in a place that is not "mine", and therefore compassion for people travelling to America
Review Photos
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? |
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| * Food: |
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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
I loved China, the program was arranged very thoughtfully, I never felt unsafe though I was so far from home. |
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) |
China is very affordable compared to American prices |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $600 USD total for the 11 days, but felt i was lavishly spending at times (I attended almost all of the additional optional trips and was able to bring small gifts home for my family also) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | For China, I recommend a minimum of $50 USD per day for food. I feel this amount would be enough for a conservative spender. A student should bring around an extra $100- $150 USD if they feel they may want to take advantage of additional tours (most of which came at a group discount). |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | For an 11-day seminar, I found that running through the beginner exercises in a Chinese language app gave me enough exposure to be able to communicate a little. At the very least, it helped me understand how the language works and meet some Chinese people who spoke minimal English. |
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? | 0 |
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? | How much learning Mandarin would open doors to meeting new people. I would have learned more |
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