Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Learn Chinese Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/01/2016 to 12/16/2016 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Beijing

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned Chinese, and I really enjoyed my relationship with my roommate who was a local student.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I felt that the program was purely for language acquisition. If I could do it over again, I would choose something where I could learn more about the culture.

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat at the dining halls

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Chinese 302
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? No.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • My Chinese roommate
  • Teachers
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • Class structure (more emphasis on discussion)
  • Class schedule (class should end by noon, giving students time in the afternoon to explore)
  • More excursions
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I did not realize that it would take so much time to leave the neighborhood our school was in. I wish I knew that our neighborhood was not very interesting.

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 Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Modern Chinese Politics
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Du Laoshi
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Contemporary Issues
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Wang Laoshi
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

One on one tutorial
Course Department: Chinese
Instructor: Laoshi
Instruction Language: Chiense
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Experience Beijing
Course Department: Chiense
Instructor: Du Laoshi, Wang Laoshi, Zheng Laoshi
Instruction Language: Chinese
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: