LIfe changing Past Review
By Avery C (PSYCHOLOGY., Fordham University) - abroad from 08/16/2014 to 12/14/2014 with
The Beijing Center: Semester and Full Year Abroad
Maturity, Experience, Fun, Life long friends, A gap year I intend to take, Answers
Personal Information
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was amazing. The teachers they have in the program teach through experience which is the most useful. I also enjoyed the field trips and the guest speakers |
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The student development program was AMAZING. They make you feel at home even when you're thousands of miles away from home. |
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was dorm living, which is okay. It was really nice housing considering we had personal western toilets |
* Food: |
The food on campus was actually really good. And, in addition, there was a whole street full of food options |
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
With the weekend trips that student development hosted, I definitely felt integrated into the community. The chinese roommates also helped tremendously to get integrated. |
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Considering the health care in China, it was okay. I had an incident where I had to be taken to the hospital. Hospital itself was dirty, but the student development team and my insurance company made sure I was taken the best care of. |
* Safety: |
I felt extremely safe. Living on campus was very safe and as long as you had your wits about you, the city of Beijing was a safe place to study |
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
China's cheap. Super easy |
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30 dollars a week |
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try cooking. I know there are so many food options that look appetizing but that is really going to save money for travel excursions later. Also, if you are studying in a country like China or any other foreign country, find a native speaker/student to help buy train/plane tickets. Companies try to rip you off if you try to find them in English. |
Language
* Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I wish a little more... But still, I learned a lot |
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? | Advanced |
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate (2 years) |
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? | SPEAK WITH LOCALS! |
Other Program Information
* 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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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 am somewhat happy I went in totally clueless. Gave me the experience to totally be vulnerable. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |