CET-Middlebury is challenging and very rewarding! Past Review
By Ryan H (International Studies, Kenyon College) for
Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Hangzhou
Being my first experience abroad in my life, my experience at CET-Middlebury in Hangzhou really did impact my life in many ways. I don't think I could have advanced my language skills as much anywhere else, while also allowing me to become a truly independent person. The immersive experience that this program offers really does allow for greater cultural understanding and personal growth.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload is challenging, however your language abilities will improve drastically. The professors are amazing, and classes are always very small, always less than 8 students. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Being that the program size is small, less than 30 students, the administration is always very personable and helpful. The academic director works with each student individually to place you in appropriate class levels and work out any problems. Many of the students on the program became great friends with the resident director and office assistants, who were always there to help and listen. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing, in the international students' dormitory, is considerably nicer than standard dorms for Chinese students. Living with a Chinese roommate can also be extremely helpful for language learning and also for integrating into the local culture. Roommates would often take the study abroad students to their homes to meet family, travel with them and introduce them to their own friends. |
| * Food: |
There are very affordable (cheap!) student cafeterias on campus, but most students chose to eat at local restaurants, which there are many, or street food, both of which are also very affordable. |
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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
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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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
As mentioned above, this is a great program for improving Chinese language skills. The classes stress both spoken and written Chinese, and the language pledge, while challenging, is an amazing component of the program. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | This program is perfect for a student who is serious about improving their Chinese language abilities, who is interested in living among Chinese students and in a experience that is different from what one would find in one of China's larger cities. |
