Rigorous program to significantly enhance your Chinese Past Review
By Shannon West (Boston College) - abroad from 08/31/2016 to 12/15/2016 with
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Hangzhou
My Chinese enhanced significantly, as well as my knowledge and understanding of the Chinese culture.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Middlebury's academic program in Hangzhou is great. I loved all of my professors. The program is very effective for improving your Chinese fluency. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing leaves a lot to be desired. The facilities are old and definitely in need of improvements-- and cleaning. However, I was able to get over this aspect and still have a positive experience. Just do not go in with high expectations. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program is very challenging, however, it is also very rewarding. |
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 can be very cheap. The local food is very inexpensive. Any type of international food will be more expensive, usually the amount it would cost in the US. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Phone data can get fairly expensive so I recommend using wifi as much as possible. Also, take public transit as much as possible. Although taxis and didi's are super inexpensive compared to the US, it adds up when you use them frequently. |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate Chinese |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
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? | Expect a very challenging program |
