Hangzhou with Valparaiso University Past Review
By james f (political science and anthropology, Valparaiso University) for
Valparaiso University: Fall Hangzhou Study Program
yes, a lot. a new appreciation for china, and chinese people. as well as europeans, and americans.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Zhejiang University, Yuquan campus |
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
My chinese improved considerably, the chinese professors are fantastic and want you to get better. they are also very used to international students and are used to them and their heavier travel schedules...thus they are very flexible |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The Chinese administrators were great, and tried to be very helpful. However, they are almost impossible to reach. further, if they didnt know an answer, they would often make one up. oh well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
decent dorms with many other international students. however, many cheaper housing options are available just outside of campus, within two minutes walking to class. these appartments are also far nicer, larger, and better furnished. so if you do join this program, do consider these alternative options. <br /><br /> great location in hangzhou, very close to many sights, West Lake, Bars, coffee shops, everything. also in the same building as classes, so you dont have to walk far on cold days. |
| * Food: |
the food is outstanding, its china after all. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
awesome country |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Some food in remote china was very sketchy, and I did go through two tough bouts of food poisoning. however, the dorm is located next to a hospital with western medicine. the big problems are that the chinese use antibiotics for absolutely everything... a friend fell off her bike and cut her chin. the chinese doctors stitched it up, and gave her anti-biotics to prevent infections. so they take good care of you, but at the expense of the world and immune bacteria. health care is also incredibly cheap. around 10USD for an appointment and a few more bucks for medicine |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | total around 150usd per week. this includes food, transportation, fun, going out to the bar, etc. I usually ate pretty well, and covered entire cab fees, for others. I also bought many others drinks at the bar. still, china is so cheap. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | you will probably want to travel here. do it. china is cheap, and transportation is good, especially between the big cities on the coast. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Chinese is a very difficult language. still, after studying abroad in Hangzhou, i feel as though my chinese improved as much as humanly possible in such a short period of thime. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | do it. china is amazing. |
