Chengdu, China: The Experience of a Lifetime Past Review
By A student (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 08/23/2017 to 12/17/2017 with
USAC China: Chengdu - Chinese Language and Culture
I was able to spend a lot of time re-evaluating what I want to do with my life. I was also able to become more independent and get out of my comfort zone.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Language classes require a fair amount of studying, but the other classes require almost no outside effort. (There might be one paper and/or presentation for the semester, but other than that, literally just show up.) Most classes are very interesting and worth paying attention in even if you can slide by with spacing out. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very nice and involved with students; always willing to help. Felt a tad smothering at times, but honestly I was probably the only one to feel that way. If it's your first time abroad or you're just not sure about something, just go to the office and they'll help you figure stuff out. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Huge single room with your own bathroom. Shared kitchen with a couple fridges and washing machines (for clothes, no dishwasher). No dryers, so you have to hang your clothes in the room. |
| * Food: |
Very different from American and even American Chinese food. You can get a meal card to eat on campus, but it's better to eat out. Lots of affordable places to eat. I honestly wasn't too big into the local food, so I usually ate American food once a day. (KFC, McDonald's, and Pizza Hut are all within a reasonable distance.) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I didn't really feel integrated at all, but that was a personal thing, not because of anything within the program. If you want to meet Chinese students and get involved in cultural stuff, there's plenty of opportunities, but I'm super introverted and really liked being able to walk around on my own or have some downtime in my room by myself. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Didn't go to the doctor's at all. Bring any medicine you need (even ibuprofen) and GET VACCINATED. I couldn't believe how many people came without getting protected against typhoid or Hep A. I know at least one person in my group got typhoid. On the plus side, someone in the program will take you to the doctor's and translate for you if you need medical attention. Also, the health insurance provided is really good. |
| * Safety: |
I literally never felt unsafe while I was in Chengdu. Watch out for pickpockets and don't jaywalk and you'll be fine. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was great to go literally as far from home as possible and experience life in another part of the world. I had a great semester, and while I'm glad to be back, I'm also very glad that I decided to go. |
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) |
Super cheap. I spent $50 a week, and that includes eating American food every day. (Although to be fair, I don't eat much, so when I did eat American food I would get a happy meal or something similar.) |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just set a budget and stick to it. Not the most original thought in the world, but decide beforehand what you're going to spend instead of just winging it. |
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 |
Lots of opportunity to use the language since the vast majority of people in the area don't speak English. However, if you're not interested in learning another language, pointing and smiling work pretty well. I basically got by all semester with hand gestures since I only took one language class. |
| 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? | Chinese I |
| 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? | Get a language partner and do your homework. Talking with people and doing schoolwork are both great, but you're probably not going to get too far unless you do both. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | 0 |
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? | I was told before the program, but when you here someone say bring ____ with you, they really mean it. I thought they were exaggerating and I found myself without some very common OTC meds for a while. It was not pleasant. |
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! |
