Inexpressible gratitude for the opportunity to learn from other cultures: France & Taiwan Past Review
By Alexandra P (Bachelor of Arts: Biochemistry, University of Northern Iowa) for
National Chengchi University (NCCU): New Taipei City - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes. The political, cultural, and scientific discussions I was afforded by meeting people from all over the globe was well-worth the struggles I had encountered pre-trip. I now have a plethora of new friends and contacts in: the UK, France, Italy, Lithuania, Scotland, Spain, Chile, Gambia, China, Taiwan, Australia, Greece, Germany, and Morocco... in only three months! I was given an in-depth look at how the rest of the world views Americans (sometimes, this was a painful discovery), at their own worldviews/philosophies, at varying methods of teaching scientific endeavor & techniques for research, and so much more. I cannot express the value I place on studying abroad.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | National Chengchi University, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes |
| 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The National Chengchi University administration was absolutely superb. They were well-organized, friendly, helpful, provided excellent international housing, and even creatively prepared an orientation presentation with extremely relevant information on where to eat, the city's transportation, and the best activities to do in our free time. The administration at Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes, however, was completely the opposite. They were shockingly disorganized, cared nothing for helping their students find banking, food, or navigating the public transportation, did not make expectations clear at all, failed to provide any information on our research prior to the start of the program, and placed us in dirty living environments. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I gave the housing satisfaction 3 stars, because as I mentioned it was fantastic in Taiwan and absolutely terrible in France. In Taiwan were placed in I-House (the international students' dorm), and it was very much like a hotel, with aesthetically-pleasing rooms and kitchens and everything clean. It was also surrounded by bus stops, restaurants, convenience and grocery stores, and the university itself. In France, the bathrooms were always filthy and without toilet paper, and there were no restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations or other convenience stores, or ATM banking nearby. |
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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? |
Most people spoke English, but not all, and I found it very helpful to have been taking Mandarin while in Taiwan. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Talk to other students who have already studied abroad through UNI, particularly in the program(s) you are applying for! I expect improvements to be made in our study abroad office's administration, but just in case, learn everything you can outside of them. But even if challenges do arise, STAY INSPIRED & do NOT give up on this fantastic opportunity! It was the experience of a lifetime! |
Comments
Alex, We are sorry that you did not feel well-advised by our office and it affected your feelings prior to departure and while you were in France. The two programs you did were new to our office and university as a whole; our office, as well as the UNI Faculty Leaders, were learning alongside with you. We thank you for your patience and understanding. Regards, UNI Study Abroad Center
deleted-1404919351UNI_Provider August 29, 2011
