Past Review
By Jaye h (Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies., Valparaiso University) for
Valparaiso University: Fall Hangzhou Study Program
Taught me a lot about independence and being around true diversity. Didn't feel so Americanized by everything I was doing and seeing, but rather felt free to do things my way instead of society's way.
Personal Information
| 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. |
The language classes were challenging, but motivational to learn and speak as quickly as we could comprehend and store the information. The teachers were stricter than American teachers, but it pushed many of the students to study harder. I enjoyed the connection made with the Chinese teachers and being able to approach them at anytime. They were very willing to work with our schedules. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Left out details that I felt were vital for the financial situation. Didn't know any Chinese prior to coming to China, so the students had to do most of the communicating. The group ran into some issues with our program leader while in China. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was great. <br /><br /> Have no complaints. |
| * Food: |
The food is not very filling even if you eat a lot of it. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was great |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Health care is completely different than the US so hard to compare. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About $75 including food, transportation, and a few shopping sprees. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Pack light because you will want to purchase so many things that you will bring home with you. I wish the program would have previously informed us of electricity and internet costs that were not included in the dormroom fees. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I want to continue using chinese language as much as possible. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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