One amzingly fun adventure! Past Review
By Richard C (Business Administration, Berea College) - abroad from 08/23/2014 to 12/22/2014 with
KEI Abroad in Beijing, China
It was an eye opening experience.I learned a lot about the chines culture. It was worthwhile.
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. |
In the Chines language intensive program you have to learn 30-50 words per day. All the classes are taught in chines. Long as you work hard during the week you will not have to study during the weekend. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They had no clue what they were doing. They also did not know the schools calender and planed events on days I had class. Additionally, I was suppose to be in business classes while studying abroad. Instead I was placed in a Chines Intensive Language program with no business classes. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Great dorm! However the mattress was very hard and uncomfortable to sleep on. |
| * Food: |
Plenty of restaurants near by and the main cafeteria is not bad. You can eat for about $10 per day. Do not eat at the 2nd cafeteria. It is really disgusting. |
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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? |
Got quite sick while there. Went to the pharmacy nearby and bought some medicine. I have no clue what it was but it worked! If you need to go to a doctor ask one of your chines friends to go with you. |
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| 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) |
I was unlucky and had some unplanned expenses. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Add at least $400 to your budget for unplanned things that will happen |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | Talk to chines people. Find a tutor. |
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? |
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 wish I knew how little KEI would do and how easy it is to direct enroll. I would of direct enrolled and saved myself money. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
