Kunming: Unique and Developing Past Review
By April S (Asian Studes and International Economics, Austin College) for
SIT Study Abroad: China - Health, Environment, and Traditional Chinese Medicine
i am thankful and feel that I have grown, but I am most thankful that I took the time to have this experience because i now have my life leading in a new direction.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Yunnan Nationalities 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
met all expectations |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
food was great, meals with the program were very plentiful |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
many people got stomach infections and almost everyone got sick at one point, the program handled it well when such problems arose |
| 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? | 15 to 25 dollars per week, program was very well fair with stipends |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | none |
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? | 201, 3rd semester |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
everyday needed language skills, few spoke English out side of program instrutors, those that did spoke very little |
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?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | dont come with expectations, see what you can and as much as you can bt be prepared for things to be as challenging as they are exciting |
