Comrades in Beijing Past Review
By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 02/15/2017 to 06/02/2017 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Beijing
I can't quite explain what I gained without writing you a novel. I grew as a person and learned parts of who I am.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I definitely improved all aspects of my language |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
I would've liked to have been more obviously told that we'd be paying in a campus cafeteria |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I knew I had resources if I wanted |
| * Safety: |
Even when going out at night or walking alone, I didn't ever feel any sort of danger in public spaces. However, the sexual targeting of white bodies in China created uncomfortable situations in clubs and bars. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
No doubt about it. |
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? | About 30 USD per week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't go out to bars and clubs as often, or at least ones that have a cover charge. |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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 301 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Just live it. You won't learn it until you totally immerse your mind and body in the language. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't be afraid to dive right in |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Contemporary Issues in China |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Li Laoshi |
| Instruction Language: | Mandarin |
| Comments: | It was a great mixture! |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Experience Beijing |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Zhang Laoshi & Du Laoshi |
| Instruction Language: | Mandarin |
| Comments: | |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
One-On-One |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Li Laoshi |
| Instruction Language: | Mandarin |
| Comments: | I loved the flexibility, particularity, and attention from my professor. I know that he did his best with the resources and information for my topic. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Advanced Spoken Chinese |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Du Laoshi |
| Instruction Language: | Mandarin |
| Comments: | |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
