Love-Hate Relationship Past Review
By A student (Chinese Studies., Barnard College) - abroad from 02/13/2012 to 06/22/2012 with
Tsinghua University: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It was definitely worthwhile. It was one of those tough-love experiences that bestows some wisdom while still having a blast. This is no "semester in Barcelona" program but it doesn't mean you have to be purely academic either.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
You could tailor your schedule to be as rigorous as you liked. The only detracting feature is that so many other students do not take their courses seriously, it can have a negative affect on you. Otherwise, Tsinghua has a huge library and many resources to take advantage of. I wish I could have had access to a few Chinese journal search engines as it would have made researching and writing my papers for class a tad bit easier. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
It was kind of disorganized but fun overall. The main advisor made no real effort to help us out except for a 10 minute meeting at first where he just lectures at you. I think the program would do great if there were small travel stipend per person. Everyone likes different types of traveling and conflict would arise (none of it serious) during group travel. There were definitely grumblings about use and misuse of our money. If there were a few group activities and then money for travel in smaller groups or individuals, I think it would suit the many different schedules of the students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The singles are nice. The beds are not (but that is to be expected at any university in CHINA) NOT comfortable! You have your own bathroom. Unfortunately, there are hot water hours, which can dictate your schedule. |
| * Food: |
There are lots and lots of cafeterias. However, it would be nice if it were less oily. Alas, this is something that must be dealt with as a part of adapting to your new culture. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I did not feel very integrated in the Chinese culture. Most of my friends were also foreigners. Any of my Chinese friends ALWAYS were as a result of my American-Chinese friends. I noticed that Chinese people, save the english majors and a couple others, tend to shy away from foreigners. If I tried to start a conversation with someone next to me in class, sometimes they would respond for a little bit, but then other times they simply stared at me as if I were crazy. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I was sick and my program coordinator did a fabulous job of helping me go to the hospital and get medicine. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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? | No |
| * 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? | Between 20 USD and 50 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat at the cafeteria. Buy things online at 360buy.com . Most Chinese websites require a domestic Chinese credit card but 360buy has a kiosk on campus where you can pay cash on delivery. Things are much cheaper online! |
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? | Advanced |
| 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? | Advanced Business Chinese (Level 4) |
| 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? | If you're of chinese descent, you'll have an easier time. If you're like me and lack any asian heritage, it's going to be harder. You need to make some Chinese friends. I noticed that this tended to be easier for males than females, but just put yourself out there. No matter how quiet someone may seem, they will open up eventually with enough persistence. Last but not least, read a newspaper article a day and learn the vocabulary! |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | Travel and explore the city as much as possible! Play as many sports as possible! I met the most people playing on one of the many fields or swimming in the pool. |
