Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Study Abroad in China! Past Review

By (Educational Leadership, Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 06/02/2012 to 06/14/2012 with

Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Traveling - Education in China

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Americans are spoiled whiners. It was very worthwhile.

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Very good.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The professors were great.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Did not appreciate the bait and switch that involved with our hotels.

* Food:

Was very good.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Felt the high points of China were hit more than the low points. Did not feel I had an adequate view of all of the country.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Great

* Safety:

I was very safe, however, we did have a couple that wandered.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

5

* 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? $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Do your souvenir shopping first so you know how much money you have to spend later.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
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?
  • It was focused with an educational lens
  • It was with classmates
  • It was to a place I may never get to go to again in my life
* What could be improved?
  • Do a mock up of people having to walk with their full luggage. Some people did not listen very well at orientation when told to pack lightly.
  • Better travel accommodations. The plane was very cramped and uncomfortable for a 12 hour flight.
  • Time travel. We spent 2 1/2 days just traveling to and from and while in country. That took away from the experience. I know they plane ride is 12 hours but surely we could have skipped the 5-6 hour layover.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? To package better looking gifts for the hosts. We received beautiful gifts from our hosts and what we gave to them was not as nice.