New meaning to my future Past Review
By Mei S (Marketing, Pace University) - abroad from 09/02/2018 to 01/13/2019 with
The Education Abroad Network (TEAN): Shanghai - Fudan University
Before the program I was unsure if I would want to work in China, but after living there, it is the place I want to be. I enhanced my mandarin skills, I made friends that will be life long friends, I had opportunities that I never wouldve gotten, and I grew into a person I am proud of.
Review Photos
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. |
Good, but more difficult than expected |
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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? |
Amazing apartment! I bonded with everyone there and the location was amazing. |
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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 got sick and insurance covered everything. English speaking hospital, super nice, and quicker than I expected. |
| * Safety: |
Felt safer than the USA by alot |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
1000% best time of my life. Amazing program got me situated and set up, had excursions to see things I would not have done otherwise and enabled me to go out and truly live my life. |
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) |
The cost of living is extremely low, I had no issues traveling and still being under budget |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 150 or so, but I was eating a lot, taking expensive dance classes, and gm membershipy |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you only eat foreign food like avocado toast and pancakes, it will be expensive. Embrace the culture and the food and you will save money and have a better experience. |
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 |
Wei Laoshi is the best!!!!! I learned a lot and she became a friend at the end |
| 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? | Took Mandarin in highschool and one semester in college |
| 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? | Just talk to people. If you learn in a classroom but never practice, you will hinder yourself. |
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? | 10+ |
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 wish I knew that TEAN is so reliable I had NOTHING to worry about, and pre-departure I stressed over the smallest things. TEAN has your back, and if you do happen to have an issue, you have an amazing support system. |
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.' |
