A Healthy Challenge Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

While I experienced some personal struggles abroad as a heritage student, I believe the program was well constructed and supported me enough during my time in China. I was really pleased with academics there. Most classes were interesting (even though the homework could be monotonous), and I feel like I learned a lot.

On-site administration of your program

I felt heard and appreciated the administration for adjusting components of the program (for example the Museum volunteering shifts) in accordance with our feedback to the best of their ability. I felt like the staff cared about me and were looking out for my best interests.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

We lived in an international students dorm and attended classes, activities, and meetings there which felt like being stuck in a bubble. The rooms were good for China university dorm standards, but they were quite dated and basic by American standards. It was nice to have a kitchen and free laundry right across the hall.

The dining hall food on campus was not my favorite, but since I ate out for almost every meal with a friend, I really enjoyed the food. There were a great variety of restaurants right outside of the west gate on campus, and the prices of many of those places were very comparable to paying for a meal at the dining hall.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very isolated from the local community. We lived apart from normal students, couldn't talk to other international students because of language pledge, and had few opportunities to meet local students. I wasn't particularly close with my Chinese roommate, so I never connected with her friends on campus, which would probably be the most natural way to connect with local culture.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I experienced an allergic reaction during the program and was very well taken care of. The program assistant director came back to campus at 9pm to help me navigate the local hospital. I was amazed at how easy, inexpensive, and effective treatment was. It only took around 20 minutes from the moment we walked into the emergency room until we walked back out, and the treatment (two prescriptions and an injection) were only around $9USD total without insurance. While my experience at the hospital may not reflect others' experiences, I was very impressed and satisfied.

I felt very personally safe on campus and navigating the city, but there were a few local incidents during our time there that were a little alarming. The one I remember particularly well was our program assistant director warning us about other international students outside the program arrested for dealing drugs (and having to attend a drug prevention seminar as a result).

I struggled personally, but I feel like the growth and challenges I overcame while abroad made the shortcomings reasonable.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Budgeting was not a problem. Aside from the program fees, the cost of living in China is very low for students living in dorms. Meals cost between 20~60 yuan per day (in general), there wasn't really any need for shopping beyond personal gifts or snacks, public transport was incredibly cheap, and I never had a problem. If you want to travel during break, you will want to budget more carefully, because you'll have to take housing, transportation, and discretionary spending into account.

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

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• Dorm

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• Local Students

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• Americans

• I experienced self growth
• My language confidence increased
• I was academically satisfied

• Hangzhou Story class
• Homework variety
• Local integration