I hate this school Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I was only a part-time student so I only took the 9 hour a week Basic Level 1 course and not the conversation class. My teacher was Mrs. Chen who is no longer at NSYSU. It was her last semester when I arrived at NSYSU and she had already checked out. Whenever someone asked a question asking for more explanation or saying they didn't understand something she became agitated and quickly tried to explain it again, but of course, only in Chinese. If the student still didn't understand, which was often the case, she would just give up and move on. Her powerpoints were old and she had obviously just taught the same course over and over again for years, without any concern for students needs or making the class fun or interesting. When i complained to the administration that the teacher was not helpful and i didn't feel like I was getting what I payed for out of the course, their excuses revolved around Chinese being very difficult. It seemed that they would rather have me quit the course than to help me finish it out. Later I learned that the head of the administration department that I was communicating with was also on her way out at the end of the semester (the perfect storm). Maybe it was just bad luck that I took the class when both my teacher and the head administrator were leaving and therefore obviously did not care about doing their jobs well, but when I pay a lot of money to go to a country and learn Chinese I expect to get something out of it besides frustration.

On-site administration of your program

When I first came to NSYSU, I generally had a decent experience. I didn't receive much information about the course and what was taught in it, but I didn't ask many questions either so I'll take some of the blame for that. As the course progressed and I started having problems , I realised that the administration was unorganised at best. I was supposed to receive my student ID in the 3rd week, but I didn't get it until after the semester was over about 3 months later. I received snarky e-mails when I asked about it and useless but apologetic excuses when i asked them in person. When i told them I was having trouble keeping up in class, I mostly received "Yes, Chinese is very difficult." in response. When I asked about a possibly quitting early and getting some money back from the course I was told to check the fine print and that there were no refunds. I stuck with the course and continued to ask administration for help with the problems I was having with my teacher, but they told me there was nothing they could do and recommended I talk to the teacher. I asked to change classes and they said "All the other classes are full." Basically, I have no idea why they have jobs if they have so little power to do anything. They get people to join the course, they put on a talent show and a buffet mid-semester, and that's where their duties end. It was a shambles.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had a teacher and a main administrator that were horrible people. Without them this program could be decent.

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

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

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• Apartment

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• Other

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• International Students

• I liked a few people in my class

• get your administration office in order
• interview a teacher before you hire them