China: GO! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The teachers were amazing! The cirriculum was very well planned and includes a lot of speaking. The program allows students to learn as much as or a little as they want. If you want to succeed, get out into the community and start speaking the language every single day and you will be amazed how quickly you pick it up! I would have never though I would know enough Mandarin to order dinner, barter with vendors, and use public transit in one month.

On-site administration of your program

I was part of the initial cohort to go overseas. As this was a new program there was a lot of confusion, a ton of emails exchanged with no answers in return. It has been my experience that this has greatly improved as a direct result of student feedback. I do not think there is any problems now with communication.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The plumbing in the dorm was horrible.. you could often smell sewer. Okay, I got it out there, that is the worst of it! Ya it sounds nasty, but we quickly found remedies. Frankly I thought it was a great exposure to the reality of moving to a country which is no where near the standards of the United States. You want comfy, luxurious rooms? Go to Hawaii instead.

University food was horrible compared to U.S. standards. The street vendor food and restaurants surrounding the university was some of the BEST food I have ever consumed! It was incredibly cheap (about USD $1 per meal) and it was delicious! There is so much good food to try, I couldn't get enough of the local Chinese cuisine!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Great Wall of China: Epic. Temples and other cultural sites were also amazing. No complaints.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

China was to my suprise, a very safe place. I never felt unsafe at anytime. I did not bring my laptop or any other personal, expensive items in fear that they might be stolen. I regret not bringing these comforts. There would have been absolutely no problem bringing these items. The dorms were very secure and have a night watchman at all times. No complaints about safety.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!!! Seriously, get out into the community and interact with local community members e.g. shop owners, street vendors, grocery stores, etc. Not many people spoke English, but I was pleasantly surprised how willing the Chinese were to take the time to help me through our language barrier.

Select all that apply

• Dorm

Select all that apply

• International Students
• Americans

• The INTO student mentors! You guys were awesome!

• Let people see the real China! Take us to the place you don't think we want to see; its not just about seeing temples and the Great Wall. Let us do it all!