The East Asian Experience Past Review
By Jane T (Austin College) - abroad from 02/19/2012 to 06/03/2012 with
SIT Study Abroad: China - Health, Environment, and Traditional Chinese Medicine
I learned to let things go and not be organized all the time. That realization alone made the trek to China worthwhile.
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. |
An incredible experience never to be forgotten. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All the administration were very helpful and insightful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our group was allowed to experience two homestays, one rural and one city, plus regular student dormitory life. |
| * Food: |
Everything was delicious and mostly cheap. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Had the opportunity to met amazing people and converse in both English and Mandarin Chinese. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had stomach issues the first few days, but was well taken care of by the staff. |
| * Safety: |
Not once did I feel my life was in jeopardy. |
| 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) |
I was provided with enough money to sustain myself. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 200 yuan |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not buy everything you see. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
With my professors I mostly spoke Mandarin. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Chinese 256: Advanced Chinese |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Flashcards are great for memorization. |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
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? | I wish I knew the level of Chinese I know now. |
