China is an incredible place to visit. DO IT DO IT DO IT! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The educational experience was outstanding. The Asia Institute partners, faculty ambassadors, and student translators were both happy and excited to answer questions at each site visit. I feel we saw more in 10 days than some see a lifetime.

On-site administration of your program

EVERYTHING was taken care of well in advance. Food, hotels, activities, entertainment, the whole 9 yards. Even after regular program hours, the Asia institute ambassadors were happy to show us their favorite parts of their local cities.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I've stayed in numerous hotels for weddings, vacations, and what-have-yous, but the hotels in Beijing, Suzhou, and Shanghai were some of the nicest accommodations I have ever seen. Clean, well kept, homey are some words that come to mind. The beds looked like I imagine a cloud should feel if it was, in fact, semi-solid and not gaseous in nature. My single negative feedback was the climate in the Beijing hotel. Due to high pollution in the city, windows cannot be opened. The hotel room was slightly warmer than I am accustomed to. I happen to enjoy sleeping cold, which was just not possible in this hotel. However the provided breakfasts, sleeping arrangements, luxurious bathrooms and overall nicety of the hotel more than made up for it.

Perfect mix of entrees. Each one was absolutely delicious. The Asia institute did a wonderful job of ordering food choices that made us feel at home while also offering some strange looking, yet delicious options I had never had the opportunity to try before. Most meals provided at a round table with a giant lazy Susan.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt like I was a tourist the entire time. So many customs are different across the globe, it is difficult to truly feel immersed in a short 10 day stay. However, I certainly feel like I was leaps and bounds more integrated at the end of the trip than when we landed in Beijing. By the end of the trip I could read several important Chinese character strings such as China, Entrance, Exit, Restroom, and Elevator. I also became a champion of using squat toilets. I learned to never leave the house without tissues! Not bad for a quick trip!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I, personally, did not encounter any serious health issues during the trip. Long days mixed with pollution and constant conversation left my throat a little dry towards the middle of the trip. An Asian Institute ambassador was happy to venture to a local store to find some Teas/ lozenges to help with my situation.

If you stick with a group you will never have a problem. Period. Once or twice, I took it upon myself to venture out alone, and never had any serious issues.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Most students made it the entire trip while only spending about $150. Almost every meal is paid for. The only money you need to bring is for souvenirs!

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

We were constantly encouraged to attempt to speak the language. I must be tone deaf, because the tonal differences in speech were almost lost on me, even after several intensive conversations with our translators. Our translators were always happy to give us a crash course on any phrase we wanted to say.

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• Hotel

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• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The Food
• The Itinerary
• The People

• Potential ideas for freetime
• Visit Hong Kong
• Transportation to and from Pittsburgh Airport

The Outright Urbanite