No Regrets Past Review
By Rosanne H (Mathematics and Computer Science, Wellesley College) - abroad from 03/05/2018 to 07/01/2018 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Shanghai - Fudan University
I've seen so much China and learned so much about its culture. It was the right balance between chill and "yes you're still in school". Honestly the experience is what you make of it.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
How the program worked was that I had one class through (TEAN/UVA) which was a Chinese class with a UVA trained professor and the rest of my classes at Fudan University. The class with the UVA teacher was run very well, the instructor was very clear when teaching new words and since the class size was quite small every student got a lot of attention. Other classes at Fudan varied, international classes are separate from regular Fudan classes (taught in english). International students mainly took these specail classes with some real Fudan students who choose to take those classes. Classes were taught by a foreign professor or regular Fudan professor with adequate english. Classes are mostly quite chill with minimal homework. Some classes are a lot more work than other and all the work seems to be assigned in the last few months. Professors don't necessarily have stated office hours but can meet by appointment. It was an easy transition. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators of our program were awesome! They are quite caring and worked to make our transition to study abroad as smooth as possible. There are so many logistics need to be done in China I'm so glad I had someone who was there to help me out. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
One of the nicest living situations i've ever had in my life to be quite honest with you. Basically the Chinese equivalent of living in a mansion. |
| * Food: |
Chinese food is delicious. Everything was delicious. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I mostly associated with other TEAN students, or those who also chose to live in the apartment rather than the student dorms. Though I loved my time in the nice apartment, it was a bit isolating. Did not feel like I integrate with local Fudan student life other than going to classes (with other international students) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The healthcare we are given is at one of the best hospitals in Shanghai, and subsequently China. When I got sick, my program administrator came to support. The pollution is definitely a problem in Shanghai and it is quite clear that it has done a number on my health. |
| * Safety: |
Shanghai is quite safe, especially the area that we are in. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I've had an amazing time in Asia, and this program has helped me go so many places. I've met some awesome people and I was given ample amounts of personal freedom. The people who work with you at TEAN are AWESOME. Shoutout to the coordinator for China (Lily) for being AMAZING. |
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) |
you can get a complete meal here for less than 15元 (2.4 ish $), if you eat the canteen, that number drops to 7元 (1ish$) a meal. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 210元(33$) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you really want to save even MORE money than you already are, take out companies are always have deals so you can get an entire meal for around 5-10 rmb sometimes. |
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 |
We had encouragement in class to speak? An assignments? Other than that everything you did was all you. |
| 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? | CHIN 204 |
| 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? | Talk to as many people as possible. |
Other Program Information
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* 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 pretty much came in knowing pretty much nothing and I'm am quite happy with the result |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
