China Trip Past Review
By melanie.woodbury.7 (Utah Valley University) - abroad from 05/01/2012 to 06/20/2012 with
Utah Valley University: Traveling - Chinese
This experience has opened my eyes about the Chinese culture. It was an amazing experience, and I would love to go back.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The upper division classes had personal tutors throughout the program. The tutors were excellent, however each of us would go over different material from what we were supposed to be tested on, and we were all given the same test, and we would be tested on material that none of us had gone over throughout the week. So, the tests don't reflect what we've learned in class at all. The lower division classes had teachers who were highly disorganized, which hadn't help them progress in their Chinese at all. From what I've heard from my classmates, the teachers didn't challenge them at all. I was also told that the teachers didn't bother testing them. It wasn't until they had complained enough when everyone was able to have their own personal tutor close to the end of the program. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Our apartments were pretty nice. Out of all of the student housing on campus, ours was the nicest. The apartments come complete with necessities, such as a fridge, microwave, western toilet, showers, beds, etc. |
| * Food: |
The food is really excellent in China. It's also very cheap. Just be careful about eating from the street vendors though. Not all vendors and establishments follow health regulations. Most of the people in my group had trouble with the food, but I didn't have any problems. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I've never had any health issues during my stay in China, so I can't really accurately say how well health issues are addressed. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Food is very cheap in China. You could get a solid meal for $1 or $2, if not less. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $10-$50 |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 3050 |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to talk to the natives. They're really friendly and open to foreigners. |
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? | Don't rely on using credit/debit cards to pay for stuff. |
