Yunnan: How to Connect with People Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I felt that my Chinese classes were 50 times better (to use a random, large number) than those at home. Although I had to go over information I had already learned in a past semester, this time I learned it more thoroughly than before. I was also really given individual attention and really got along with my Chinese teachers.

On-site administration of your program

The strengths with my Kunming program lie particularly in the fact that our program leader had fantastic connections, enabling us to get around and see the sights that most people are not privileged enough to see or experience. Everything that our program did on our behalf was complete in an efficient manner so that everything went smoothly. I have to say that my expectations were met and went beyond what I had hoped to experience. The SIT description on the website and in the booklet do not do it justice.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Our dormitories were quite nice, although my own bathroom wouldn't drain so that it was a constant lake, but other than this, I was very satisfied. The dormitories were only a 3 minute walk away from our classroom and library and snack street was maybe a 5 minute walk away. I did choose to buy sheets to supplement the sheets on the bed because I didn't really feel comfortable in the provided sheets. We were given cookware to visit the cafeteria with but the dormitories didn't have a kitchen that I was aware of. The host family home was one of my favorite aspects of the program. Both my host families were extremely kind to me. My urban homestay took me to get my feet massaged and my rural homestay mom gave me a pair of homemade shoes. I was a guest and yet a family member at the same time as I tried to help out in the kitchen (although I wasn't always allowed to do this) or be the typical Chinese student. These stays helped my language immensely and also helped me to see the other versions of lifestyles in China other than the student lifestyle that I usually enjoy.

I am a vegetarian (and not always an egg eater) so it was occasionally difficult for me. But, living in the host families helped me immensely as they always, ALWAYS accommodated me and occasionally fed me too much. I never went hungry. The only problems I had were when I had to buy myself food outside of my homes or the cafeteria. Many people do not understand vegetarian values. Sometimes they will think that you only want a little meat. But, most of the time, people were incredibly kind and always recommended dishes to me. Future students should look towards Snack Street or Foreigner Street, both only a short walk away. Even the cafeteria food can be really good if you get the good stuff.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I think some of the best events were the field trips as they took me places I never would've gone by myself. I also really, really enjoyed the Yunnan Exploration Project. This project is a trip to go out into the province to try and get around for a week by yourself. It's sort of a precursor to the ISP component of the program.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I did have my camera stolen but it was due to carelessness on my part. I believe that Yunnan is a relatively safe city if you don't do anything stupid. I never felt like I was in danger at night even when I was walking alone by myself.

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

I was able to practice Chinese whenever I left the dormitory, in my host families' homes, during my ISP period (I almost exclusively only spoke Chinese during this period), and with my classmates who were at similar levels. You probably need to use Chinese every day, although I think that pointing would occasionally suffice. Most people did not speak English. Yunnan is a fairly rural province in China and Kunming is a small city, not comparable to Beijing or Shanghai in terms of cosmopolitan lifestyles.

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