I wasn't prepared for what studying abroad in China meant Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I really enjoyed the opportunity that accompanied having a Chinese roommate. The classes were interesting and engaging but not overwhelmingly difficult, which was great while in a new country.

On-site administration of your program

Lin Laoshi was extremely helpful in solving individual problems I had during my 1-1 study and Alex did a good job organizing fun group activities and trips. They were very welcoming and accomodating.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I think a Chinese roommate was very helpful and our dorms were pretty good for the location. My bathroom floor flooded every time someone showered but other than that I was very satisfied.

I had a very very hard time eating in China as a vegetarian and I wish that I would have known this before going. I was often left eating only unhealthy carbs at American restaurants or rice. :(

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I really liked my roommate but felt a little intimidated going out on my own. Chinese people stared and took photos of me and my friends regularly which made me feel uncomfortable.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I luckily did not have any health issues during the trip, I took vaccines before I went.

I had a scary incident while I was alone studying at a cafe. A number of men would not leave me alone about participating in some movie they were filming and insisted we could film the movie whenever fit my schedule and they would pay me whatever sum of money I wanted. They did not know that I spoke Chinese and I heard them discussing what I looked like on the phone with other people. They also took photos of me, this experience almost resulted in me leaving China. I told my advisor about the experience and he was helpful and I gave him a description of what they looked like, ensuring me to call him if i was ever in a sketchy situation again.

I felt the people who I spoke to before I went gave me a very optimistic and not necessarily realistic view on what studying abroad in China really entails. I had an extremely hard time adjusting and was going to come home early and withdraw from the program. Kunming is very un-Westernized and I didn't necessarily know this beforehand. I had a hard time finding food that fit my dietary restrictions and this made every day difficult.

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

China is very inexpensive and while I ate at restaurants a lot and spent more money than maybe necessary, the dining hall options were quite cheap.

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

I used Chinese every day almost all day and had a language pledge. My roommate also was Chinese so we only communicated in Chinese.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students

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• Americans
• International Students

• Excellent language practice
• Got to see an un-Westernized real look at China
• Our advisors and teachers were extremely helpful and friendly

• Realistic expectations beforehand
• Vegetarian/vegan friendly options
• Group planned break trips

The Academic or Linguist