Kunming, China broadened my approach to possible research in Environmental Engineering: Priceless! Past Review
By Bridgette B (Environmental Engineering and Sociology, Rice University) - abroad from 05/27/2010 to 08/01/2010 with
Kunming University of Science and Technology: Kunming - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Definitely worthwhile. Would love to go again (maybe for a shorter time period)! I have a huge explanation of this on my blog: www.BriKunming.wordpress.com Thanks so much!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The independent program I participated in was challenging, but extremely flexible. I frequently met with my research professor and he was so accommodating and helpful. I was not issued any letter grades for my research or language course, however, my transferable credit depends on my approval of my performance. Not having to stress over a letter grade lifted a lot of pressure, but simultaneously did not affect my academic ambitions. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I mainly interacted with my personal research professor Dr. Bo Pan, but spent a lot of time in the Foreign Studies Office as well. Oh and I even met the University's President! Everyone was a huge help and extremely accommodating. The strengths of this program would definitely be the flexibility... I honestly cannot think of any weaknesses on the part of the administration or program itself. I was very impressed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my host family. I was fortunate enough to live in a very nice, spacious condo that was just a 10-min bus ride to campus. The neighborhood was very safe because my Chinese dad was a recently retired Colonel, so we lived in a guarded building. I did not have to buy anything and we even had a washing machine so laundry was no issue. I loved it there, I was truly a part of the family and just another child to them! |
| * Food: |
The first week my stomach went crazy while adjusting to the food because it is INCREDIBLY oily and spicy, but I became accustomed to it. My host family even volunteered to get my favorite fruits, coffee, and bread every week. They were so kind in making sure I was comfortable and didn't get too homesick. There are tons of great places to eat in Kunming, and the food is so cheap! Depending on if you prefer rice or noodles, beef or seafood...just ask around. You can find what you like! Chinese literally eat ALL THE TIME. So, people will be forcing you to eat all day. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My blog is FULL of tons of memorable cultural events and trips. I even included pictures, too. www.BriKunming.wordpress.com |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
In regards to any health issues, my research professor was amazing in handling any problems I was experiencing. My migraines worsened because of a mixture of food and elevation, but he actually had a friend in Massachusetts ship me western medicine and a few other items when no local medicine worked. Isn't that AMAZING!?! I was relatively safe while there and, after adjusting to the food, my health was just fine. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I used Skype to call/video chat people back home for cheap. A month's subscription of unlimited access to features was only around 5 USD per month! The Chinese textbook for my language class was only 10 USD. And I rarely had to pay for food (outside of the the cafeteria) because my host family always cooked or people were taking me out for meals. They were very hospitable. NOT including my own personal shopping, I managed to spend less than 50 USD per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Aside from needing to replace my stolen phone, I cannot think of any unanticipated expenses... I expected to pay for my language class, meal card, bus card, any fun trips or activities, restaurants, shopping, calling home, and any personal items I needed. Oh, my laptop charger died on me while abroad, but I don't know if that was due to the trip or not. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | No prior knowledge of Chinese. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I took an Intentive Mandarine Chinese Course (introductory level) and loved it. My instructor was absolutely fabulous. I was fortunate enough to have one-on-one sessions and although the workload was challenging, I definitely feel that individual attention helped really grasp the knowledge of the language. I also lived with a host family (the parents did not speak any English), so I was challenged to try to speak and listen to Chinese everyday. I also shopped and ate at different restaurants alone every week for further interactions! Some people spoke a little English, but I tried to speak as much Chinese as possible. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Outgoing students, open to new experiences, dedicated to learning/utilizing the language, up for challenging research |
