Incredible cultural experiences and challenging courses. Past Review
By A student (Global Studies, Loyola University Maryland) - abroad from 01/08/2012 to 05/12/2012 with
The Beijing Center: Semester and Full Year Abroad
My time abroad helped me to grow in ways I never thought I would be able to. Going into the program I was pretty shy and I was interested in traveling, but nervous. Coming home from the program I was open to try new foods, new experiences, do things that once scared me, and I was much more willing to speak out. I grew in confidence, intelligence, and understanding.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Certain classes were definitely much more challenging than others, but overall by educational experience at TBC was amazing. To this day, I still remember what I learned there and my language skills improved incredibly. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved my dorm room and roommate, but if I were to do it again I think I would have opted for a Chinese roommate. |
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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? |
I broke my foot while there and my program took care of me right away, took me to the hospital, waited with me while it was taken care of, and kept checking in on me. |
| * Safety: |
I live in Baltimore and I've never felt as safe as I did in Beijing at TBC. |
| 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? | Less than $100 a week |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
I've never been pushed harder to study and learn a language and at the time, it was a little frustrating, but I've never been more grateful for anything. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Chinese 101 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | That I was going to have an amazing time and be well taken care of by TBC staff. Then, maybe, I wouldn't have worried as much. |
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. |
