INTO China - Great way to partake the true Chinese experience. Past Review
By Taylor E (Accounting/International Business, Oregon State University) for
INTO China - Tianjin: Nankai University
This was my first experience abroad, and I can certainly say that it was not my last.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Chulalongkorn University, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics |
| 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. |
Although the program did not provide any added value to my home institution, the opportunity to learn the language through a terrific instructor and to be able to use it on a daily basis outside of the learning environment provided all the motivation one could need. Being a summer language program, it was a different experience entirely from traditional schooling, but certainly no less effective. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The staff is always around and more than willing to be of service. The program was intensely monitored for quality. If there were any issues that arose, the staff was more than happy to figure a solution. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Dorm housing is never fantastic, and this is no exception. However, there can be no qualms about safety concerns, close proximity to basic shopping, or how simple the procedure is to grab a taxi and travel the city. |
| * Food: |
The food provided by the university is fairly mediocre. Institutionalized dining. Once you leave campus and try the many vendors outside the walls of the university, the whole world of dining changes to a splendid offering of so many different and delectable items. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Grand adventures are always planned. There were too many sights to see, but if one does not mind the constant shuffling from place to place, the sights that can be seed are tremendous. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
In a city of 6.2M people I could not have felt more safe. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Going from no knowledge of the language to a basic understanding of many usable words and phrases gave me more than I thought would be attained. While most people we were surrounded by spoke English, when the time came to venture out into the city, the knowledge gained through the course allowed for a meager but passable understanding of the Mandarin language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Anyone and everyone should at least take a gander to see what this program has to offer. To learn about the language and culture of China in an environment such as this is an experience that should not be missed. |
