Incredible Past Review

By A student (English and American Literatures, Middlebury College) - abroad from 01/02/2014 to 03/14/2014 with

International Chinese Language Program (ICLP): Taipei - National Taiwan University

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Absolutely worthwhile! I had wonderful teachers and classmates. I feel more confident in my own abilities to live independently. I learned about how best to learn a language, with constant practice and by listening to native speakers.

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.	Lots of individualized attention with small class sizes. Teachers had high expectations. The quality of education at the institution was outstanding.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Lived off campus in a studio apartment.
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	I did have stomach issues, and the teachers/program were very helpful.
* 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 I had stomach issues, I spent a bit more on food. A student could get by even with a lower food budget than I had.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$150

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	Required at school to only speak Chinese
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?	Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	301 (first semester of third year Chinese)
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?	Listen to recordings and repeat the sounds you hear.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* 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?	Excellent Teachers The emphasis on speaking the language (as opposed to an emphasis on written language). This emphasis goes hand-in-hand with small class sizes. Textbooks were great and written by ICLP. I brought mine all home!
* What could be improved?	More outside of class activities n/a n/a
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	That the best way to learn Chinese is to listen to CDs.

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 Linguist You 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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Ancient Chinese History Stories
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:
Comments:	The teacher drilled us on vocab, and went beyond explaining its often archaic or outdated use in the context of the stories; she would give examples to show us the ways we could use the vocab in everyday life.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Talks on Chinese Culture
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Chinese
Comments:	We were expected to present our short essays, almost weekly. This was the most demanding of the courses, as it met twice daily. (Once as a group, and once in a one-on-one setting.) The material was interesting and the professors really encouraged our speaking skills. I did not have so many opportunities to practice speaking Chinese in class here in the U.S. This course really improved my Chinese.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Practical Audio Visual Chinese 3
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Chinese
Comments:	This course was not as challenging for me as the other two I took at the University. I found the content to be more basic. No papers in this course.
Credit Transfer Issues: