Past Review
By Rachel I (Integrative Neuroscience, SUNY - Binghamton) for
Southwestern University of Finance and Economics: Chengdu - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Yes, I learned a lot about Chinese language, culture, and history. I got to visit historical sites (the great wall, Tienniman square, the forbidden city), learn Chinese calligraphy, and Chinese song and dance. Overall it was an amazing experience which I would recommend to anyone with an open mind and an interest in other cultures.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Sichuan Agriculture University |
| The term and year this program took place: | Winter 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I learned more from the Chinese students and required reading than the lectures by American professors during the trip. The Chinese faculty were also very nice but we had limited classes (only one Chinese language class). |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
We met the President of the University and other faculty but due to the nature of our program we did not have so much of an academic experience as a cultural one. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Both dorm and hotel, the first week we were at a hotel in Beijing and the second week at a dorm in Ya'an. There was a drastic difference between dorm and hotel. The dorms do not even have heat only space heating and very limited hot water and this was the foreign guest house. The dorms for Chinese students don't have showers only bathhouses on campus. <br /><br /> After the first day we we learned how to keep the room the warmest and to space out our showers. It was very silly that they always kept the front door open though because the hallways were freezing. |
| * Food: |
I'm a vegetarian and they were very accomodating. |
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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: |
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| 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? | Most things are very cheap in China. I would say it is difficult to find hair products, over the counter medicines, etc. so one should buy them before arrival. Transportation costs for trips may be the only expensive thing. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I don't think I had enough time to learn the language because our only Chinese language class was on the last day at the University and this was my first exposure to the language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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