Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Yunnan Environment and Culture Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/26/2019 to 12/16/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Kunming

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained an understanding of differences and also similarities between cultures

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Really kind teachers, learning that was based on the city and culture was awesome

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Da Li Laoshi was strict but loved us all and made the program awesome

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived in a hotel-style room, constant room cleaning from a maid

* Food:

Kunming food was very greasy but delicious. Some of my friends and I got tired of the oily foods near the end of the program and ended up eating mostly at American/French restaurants.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved my time abroad

Finances

* 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)

Very cheap

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? I spent less than 40$ a week

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

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? Mandarin 301 and 302
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? Stick to it! Do not break it once or else you're more likely to do it again

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Location and people
* What could be improved?
  • Freedom to travel China
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? N/A

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

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Yunnan Studies
Course Department: Kunming Study Abroad
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Tutorial in Chinese
Course Department: Kunming Study Abroad
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Contemporary Issues in China
Course Department: Kunming Study Abroad
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One-on-One
Course Department: Kunming Study Abroad
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