Abroad in Beijing, Experience of a lifetime. Past Review
By Cameron J (Management/International Business, Iowa State University) for
University of International Business & Economics / UIBE: Beijing - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My study abroad experience was phenomenal, I do not regret anything. I gained so much knowledge of another culture as well as their language. I was also able to meet so many other students from around the globe, it was definitely something to remember.
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. |
The education at UIBE was amazing. I was never disappointed with any of my professors. The workload was typical to my university in the States and was never more than I would expect. The grading system and teaching methods were also very similar. The big difference was the amount of Chinese class each week. It took a little time to adjust to have Chinese almost 20 hours a week. My professors were great and were always available to help whenever you needed it. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
TEAN did a fantastic job with us while we were abroad. The program directors were involved in our stay at least weekly and could be available to talk or ask questions to at almost any time of day. My expectations were met and then some. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Eat street food in Beijing, some of the greatest food I ate. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
I felt safe the entire time I was in Beijing. I did not encounter any particular situation where I felt uncomfortable. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced Chinese with everyone and anyone who was willing. Everyday I had to use Chinese to get around the city as most of the locals I encountered did now speak English at all. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | If this program is even on your list of options for study abroad, I suggest looking into further. I have not meet a single student that went through TEAN and said they did not enjoy their stay abroad. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Chinese Economic and Business Systems |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Prof. Zhao Zhongxiu |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course offered an overview and history of the Chinese economy. It was a terrific course to help understand how Chinese businesses and country as a whole work. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
| Course Name/Rating: |
Case Study of International Corporations Marketing Strategies in China |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Prof. Zhu Mingxia |
| Instruction Language: | English |
| Comments: | This course was the more interesting of the two business classes that I took. It offered how an international firm's marketing department conducts itself inside of China. We learned a lot about the growing automobile industry and even took a field trip to the Mercedes Benz factory in Beijing. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | No |
