the China experience Past Review
By Joost K (Economics., Rollins College) for
Rollins College: Shanghai - First Year Field Study: China
I love traveling. I learned a lot about China and I am convinced that traveling is the way to become a global citizen. This is the way to understand cultures and to avoid arguments in the future with different cultures. You will be able to understand more about foreign people.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Mandarin Chinese at the Shanghai university |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I feel more independent. I also learned some Chinese. The reason why I came there was for the Chinese culture, and I found myself sitting in a classroom everyday so that is why I only give 4 Balls. I learned a lot about Chinese culture but still the sitting inside annoyed me. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I think that they did a great job. It was an experiment since it was the first time. We discovered that the program wasn't as it should be and what we expected. They changed it as much as the college allowed them and we got some more freedom. I'm satisfied with the administration. The weakness is that everybody came with different expectations. Some came for Chinese and other for the experience like me. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a single dorm which was great. I do not ask for much. I'm soon satisfied. The only thing which bothered me is that my internet wasn't working but the others didn't have problems with this. |
| * Food: |
The food was cheap and it was available everywhere. I avoided American food as much as possible. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had a great time! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
the health care was OK, but everybody got ill because of the food on the streets. The program can't help this. |
| 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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30 dollar |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | eat on the streets! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | - |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
We were learning the language everyday. I went from level 0 to level 1 or 2. So I learned a lot about Mandarin in a short amount of time. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes 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? | take some initiative. Do not sit on your room but go out and explore. Talk to Chinese people and see what kind of local activities they have to offer |
