China: Great place to visit Past Review
By Lakeshia B (international studies, Northern Kentucky University) for
KIIS: Traveling - Experience China (Summer)
I'm definitely going to study abroad again. The other students on my trip is what made China one of the most wonderful experiences. We explored our host, city, had adventures and became really close.The program itself was mediocre but my teachers were great. I would highly recommend going to China, just not with KIIS.
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. |
The program said we were suppose to be having classes with local students. But for some odd reason that fell through and we ended up having classes with just the 14 people on the trip. We also had to use class rooms in the dorm area because nothing was organized. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
...this didn't exist on my trip |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in a dorm on campus. They were like hotel rooms but that was ok, they were nice.We had western toilets. They don't dryers so you have to hang your clothe out on the balcony. Warning, they could collect mold after awhile. |
| * Food: |
We were suppose to be given meal cards to eat on campus but that was not organized properly and so our director just gave us a certain amount of money each week. I'm giving the food a 3 star because it was very cheap to eat in China and there were lots of food places near the campus to eat at. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The other students in the program were great. Everyone got along a majority of the time.That's why im giving the program three stars. We only had one good excursion. Nothing was organized at ALL. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Very safe place. The biggest thing to worry about was pickpocketing and cab drivers trying to cheat you. We were outside in the AM hours and still felt safe. never travel far by yourself. Always tell at least two people, preferably a teacher, in your group were your going. A boy had to go to the hospital and everything was handled really well. it's within walking distance and they have special services for foreigners. Never drink cold water! And always make sure your food has been cooked and is steaming hot. Always boil your water before drinking it and don't buy water bottles from street vendors. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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? |
People in China were very helpful when we tried to speak Chinese. Speak as little english as possible. |
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? | I highly recommend buying the Culture Smart book- China. It was really helpful. Go over there with an open mind and remember to not expect things to be anything like America. Some ppl on the trip kept getting disappointed bc things weren't to their liking. As a black student, going to China was kind of a funny experience bc as soon as we went out on the first day,people wanted to take pictures with me and the other black students. We were also followed around by ppl with camera's. |
