TEAN is Terrific! Past Review
By Douglas K (International Business., University of Maryland - College Park) - abroad from 02/15/2012 to 07/07/2012 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Shanghai - Fudan University
I learned a lot more about Chinese culture--both past and present. It was the most worthwhile experience of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
TEAN's housing arrangements exceeded my expectations. Our apartment was in a great developing neighboring and located in a new, modern apartment complex. The apartment itself was very spacious and fully furnished with Ikea products. |
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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? |
TEAN fully prepared and informed us on which vaccinations would be necessary for China. Our TEAN director abroad was always there if we had any questions or concerns regarding health and safety. |
| * Safety: |
I've never felt safer in my life than in China; there's virtually no violent crime and all the locals are all very friendly and non-confrontational. |
| 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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| * 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? | $85 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Preparing your own food will save you money in the long-run, but you can still stick to a dollar-or-two a meal budget if you eat a lot of street food or at the local "mom and pop" restaurants. |
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 |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate Chinese |
| 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? | Make an effort to converse with your Chinese roommate, and practice it everywhere--when buying food, coffee, shopping, etc. |
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? | Clubs and restaurants are very expensive in Shanghai |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
