The 6 P's: Peace, Party, Pengyous, Population, Propaganda, and Pollution Past Review

By A student (University of Nevada – Las Vegas) - abroad from 08/26/2019 to 12/13/2019 with

USAC China: Chengdu - Chinese Language and Culture

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Language, social skills, international experience, how to socialize, how to open up a little more, how to be more independent definitely, how to be away from family, how to take better pictures, and a larger view of how the world works, what my role is, and what I can do to make it better.

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.	The Chinese classes are relatively the same as does back home. The only difference is that there are 3 semesters of Chinese all compacted into one semester. It's pretty fast but being in the country and forcing yourself to use the language really helps.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	If I could give more stars, I would. Wentao and Jiajing are amazing people. Wentao is like our mother and Jiajing is our big sister. They are always on top of things and will throw hands if they need to. Can they adopt me?
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	The rooms are... interesting. They need a little bit of an update but they do the job. It's fairly comfortable to live in and very spacious. You get your own couch, desk, what appears to be a mattress, a desk, a chair, a table, and your private bathroom with a western toilet. Pretty nice views of the city since you are on the 10th or 11th floor of the building. Buy a mattress pad as soon as you get here. like asap. Ally 100 has them
* Food:	Dont go to the corner restaurant. They're gonna try to scam you and pull out the "wrong menu" with higher prices. Aiy's is amazing. It's the restaurant with like 6 ladies running it, about 3 shops next to the corner restaurant. They're very nice and I love their Yangzhou Chaofan. On the other side is all the Tibetan restaurants and you have not lived until you've had a yak dumpling. Kung Pao chicken must have. beijing pork also. moon cakes questionable at times. its all red bean and egg yolk. soy milk, you're either gonna love it or hate it. hot water everywhere. tea is good 90% of the time. Russian candy a must have. potato chips a little questionable. DO NOT HAVE THE SICHUAN PEPPERCORN AT ALL COSTS. Learn the phrase "bu la de".
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	I'm brown so... it's impossible to not feel not Chinese, unless you're Chinese. If you're asian, everyone is gonna want to talk to you in their thickest Sichuan dialect. Just say "ting bu dong". Regardless, though, they love you and you'll learn to love them back. We don't deserve the Chinese, especially the aunties. Some Tibetan guys are gonna look at you a little overly curious (one way to put it). Chinese children ADORABLE. The Chinese are just very curious people, especially with African-Americans.
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	The worst thing you're gonna get is a cold or some stomach thing. It's not because of the water or salmonella, it's just your body getting used to the new environment. I could go without the public spitting and smoking once in a while but its rare.
* Safety:	Chengdu is very safe. The university is always safe. I haven't seen anything bad. The worse is someone getting run-over outside the east gate but that was their fault. Traffic, just be careful with the constant flow of bikes and you'll be fine. Just don't do anything stupid.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes It's mostly because of the people. The people you meet are amazing. Wentao and Jiajing are priceless human beings. The food is amazing. Honestly Chengdu has become my home away from home. Xi'an Tour, definitely recommend. If you can PLEASE GO TO FOUR SISTERS MOUNTAIN

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)	Food, extremely cheap. Clothing, pretty much the same if not a bit cheaper than the US. Transportation stupid cheap. The beginning you're spend a lot on preparing your room, you're going to want to go to McDonald's, but after a while, you learn to budget and eat cheaper. I survived on pretty $10-15 a day, if not less, a lot less, everyday 3 meals. If you're eating at the cafeteria, you have nothing to worry about. It is soooooo cheap.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$70-80
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Don't spend your money on expensive foods. Travel if you can. The clubs give free drinks to foreigners so don't spend your money on alcohol.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	All the time. Everyday 24/7
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	1 year of 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?	Study everyday. Use it the most you can. Go out and explore by yourself. Put Google translate away. Force yourself to use it. If you mess up, the Chinese will help you figure it out.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans International Students
* 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?	People Food Travel
* What could be improved?	Maintenance on building Academic rigor More community events
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I just went with the flow. Just remember to have an open mind and be social. Be patient and caring. Be curious and adventurous. Don't be a jerk. Don't be irresponsible. be studious and disciplined. Use the language. Respect the country and the people.

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 Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Sichuan Cuisine
Course Department:
Instructor:
Instruction Language:	Chinese/English
Comments:	So much fun. The chef is so cool. He speaks mostly in Chinese but there will always be a translator there. Regardless, the chef also speaks English if you need him to but he prefers to teach in Chinese. Helps your listening skills. As for the food, nothing compares to Sichuan cuisine, especially if you're learning from a local master.
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Sino-American Relations
Course Department:
Instructor:	John Bo
Instruction Language:
Comments:	John Bo is an amazing professor. Very smart and really seems to know his stuff. He is a very nice and funny person. His English is very good. The only issue I have with the class is that its a little slow and there aren't many assignments other than the midterm and the final paper.
Credit Transfer Issues: