Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

ShangHAI, I miss you China Past Review

By (University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 03/01/2018 to 03/11/2018 with

University of Pittsburgh: China - INNOVATE, Hosted by the Asia Institute

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My abroad experience was totally worthwhile. While I have traveled abroad, most of my previous travel experience has been in European based. This was my first time in Asia and I believe that I was very submerged in the culture from the food, to the cultural site visits, to even getting the chance to interact with the locals and learn little bits and pieces of Chinese. I had to get used to seeing characters that I had never seen before nor understood which was a little overwhelming in the beginning, but any trip nerves that I had before the trip were immediately gone by day two or three. I was able to grow extremely close with all the kids that I was on the trip with and I would never change this experience abroad.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I made life long friends, memories and have a new city that I love.

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Spent about $250 total for all the days including food purchased in America, souvenirs, etc.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The program coordinators
  • The cultural site visits
  • The chance to get to visit three very different, but very similar cities
* What could be improved?
  • More individual time to explore on our own
  • Variation in food options - it was all good, but was very repetitive
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Vegetarian options are limited at the meals so make sure you bring snacks on the day trips!

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.