Tremendous Experience in Yunnan Past Review
By Ruth D (Global Studies, Providence College) for
SIT Study Abroad: China - Health, Environment, and Traditional Chinese Medicine
My experience in China was absolutely worthwhile. Originally I had serious doubts about coming, but now that the semester is almost complete, I could not have imagined if I had planned to return to PC for spring semester. The experience was intense, and continues to be, but it has resulted in so many personal signs of growth and more focused academic goals.
Personal Information
| 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. |
The format of SIT is very much congruent with the style of teaching in the Global Studies department at Providence College. The only difference was that it was much more focused on experiential learning. Students were pushed to be self-motivated. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Overall I found that my academic director has had a lot of experience with foreign students and it showed as she was able to develop good relationships with each student individually. I honestly cannot pinpoint any weaknesses about the program. I truly had an overall positive experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Food was incredible the whole semester long! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Field excursion to Dali, Lijiang, Weishan, Shibaoshan, Shaxi and Shangrila in addition to exploration project to Xishuangbanna. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Host city was busy but really easy to adjust to. |
| 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? | Students receive a fairly large stipend so not many issues with money. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Practiced language with fellow Chinese university students and with locals when conducting field research. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Student must be able and willing to perform intense independent study project. They must also be highly self-motivated and willing to step out of their comfort zone on a daily basis. I promise it will be worth it in the end! |
