Middlebury in Beijing: Immersion into Chinese language and culture. July 28, 2025
By Yara M (Foreign Languages, University of Puerto Rico - Río Piedras) - abroad from 02/12/2025 to 05/31/2025 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Beijing
I gained a much higher level of confidence in my Chinese speaking, reading, and writing. I also learned to be more independent, adaptable, and open-minded. It not only helped me grow academically but also personally.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I liked that the program was designed for us to speak the target language every day. The intensity was just enough to push us to study, review, and practice consistently, which helped me significantly improve my language proficiency. They also provide many helpful resources for both academics and cultural understanding. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Middlebury administration in Beijing was incredibly welcoming and supportive. They were always available and helpful in any situation that came up. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very satisfied with the living arrangements. Having a private bathroom was a huge plus and honestly better than most college dorms i’ve heard of before. |
| * Food: |
The food was amazing, even the food at the canteen. There were always delicious and affordable options available. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program was very intentional about cultural integration. From living with local roommates to participating in language tables and cultural activities, I had many opportunities to immerse myself in Chinese culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn’t have any health issues during my time abroad, but I felt confident that I would have been well taken care of if I did. |
| * Safety: |
China is already very safe, but the universities also have extra safety measures like many security guards and controlled access points. I always felt secure on and off campus. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Absolutely. The program pushed me to grow both academically and personally. The language immersion was intense but incredibly rewarding, and I felt fully supported by the local staff. I gained not just language skills, but also lifelong memories and friendships. |
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) |
China is already very affordable, and you could easily live on $50 a week. Meals at the campus canteen are about $1–2, and even local restaurants are usually very cheap unless you go to fancy places. Groceries and essentials like toiletries and laundry detergent can cost $10–15 per week or even every two weeks. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Around $70, I definitely overspent a little but it was because I liked exploring and trying new things. I also liked to go shopping. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat at the canteen as often as possible, it’s delicious and incredibly cheap. Shop at local markets or supermarkets for essentials. Avoid international chains or expensive restaurants if you’re on a tight budget. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
The program strongly encouraged us to speak, read, and write in the target language every day. It was designed to immerse us fully in the language and culture. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | HSK 3 |
| 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? | Use the language as much as you can, speak with your local roommates, participate in language tables, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Read menus, signs, and even social media in the target language. Writing journals in the language also helps a lot. |
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? | How important it is to speak up early if you’re struggling with the pace, everyone is learning, and it’s okay to ask for help. |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
