Would do it again in a heartbeat Past Review
By A student (University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh) - abroad from 03/01/2018 to 03/11/2018 with
University of Pittsburgh: China - INNOVATE, Hosted by the Asia Institute
The scope of globalization that is expanding across the world as well the differences but also similarities between two very different cultures. Yes it was worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Informative and knowledgeable tour guides; historical and beautiful cultural site visits |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Organizer did a 5 star worthy job of keeping things on track and the schedule tight, even when unexpected things happened |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very nice hotels |
| * Food: |
Great to try new things and most of the time a surplus of food to try |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I would have liked to take the subway or taxis more in order to feel more integrated. Even walking around / just exploring the city at night or during the day would have been nice now and then. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Never felt unsafe |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program did an amazing job of fitting so much into our very limited schedule, as well as making us feel comfortable and stress free |
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) |
Only spent money on excess things I wanted to buy myself that weren't needed for the most part |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you don't want to end up spending a lot on souvenirs and other things to buy, only get out a certain amount and tell yourself you won't withdraw any more |
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 |
Taught us basic Chinese |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None in Chinese |
| 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? | Hear other people speak it and repeat it back |
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? | It is very important to keep an open mind about people and places and new things you might try |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
