Great experience Past Review
By Wills S (Economics, Chinese, Bucknell University) - abroad from 08/22/2013 to 12/14/2014 with
Yunnan University: Kunming - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Following a semester in Beijing, the IES Kunming program provided a lot of perspective on China as a whole. I grew very close with my home stay family and hung out with a very diverse group of friends.
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. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
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| * 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Depends; I was in a homestay, so I didn't pay for dinner most nights. People who stay in dorm rooms are usually expected to pay for their own dinner (which could cost anywhere from 2-10 USD) |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure you have enough to spend on travel! |
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? | Chinese 3 |
| 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? | Speak Chinese with everyone! Forget how to say stuff in English because you're using so much Chinese! |
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? |
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? | It was hard to appreciate the the potential significance of the experience before and even during the program, but studying abroad was the single most valuable educational experience I've ever had. I learned and changed more than I ever would have expected. |
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 BlazerCraving 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.' |
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