Past Review
By Frances B (Math, Centre College) for
Shanghai University: Shanghai - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Very worthwhile, it's a learning experience in many ways.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Mandarin and Economics classes are both good (although long) but the Culture class is pretty useless. Definitely not as intense as Centre classes but because you are not spending all of your time studying you have plenty of time to travel (especially if you plan well) which is a valuable learning experience in itself |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Program sends a "orientation packet" via e-mail telling you a few things about Shanghai but that is as far as it goes. Once you get to Shanghai University you always know you are supposed to be doing something but you are not sure what exactly it is supposed to be |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing is wonderful (by Chinese standards) - better than most of the housing at Centre (not counting Pearl) <br /><br /> Large rooms - single. Apartment style (they provide a fridge and microwave). |
| * Food: |
Can eat AWESOME meals for $5-$10 but since you have the option to eat for less than $1 you normally don't want to spend more than that. Food is pretty good at first, but gets old after the first couple of months |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Not really any unanticipated purchases, traveling is relatively cheap there (roundtrip airline tickets for $150 - $200) so if you want to travel plan on those expenses. Things are always cheaper if you book early. Also you need a credit card to book any hotel in China |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Did not have any experience with Mandarin prior to the program - so learning any was a dramatic improvement. Learned enough to get around, although now that I am back I wish I had spoken more while I was there. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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