Reviews of East China Normal University | China

Useful | 4

dtkemon

Furman University, Greenville, SC, United States
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Housing

Type of housing: On campus

Arranged by: Home university

If returning, I would choose: On campus

Why?

Being on campus provided access to the backstreets and a plethora of international students. Who could ask for more of a Chinese University?

Personal assessment

Cost

Facilities

Location

Cleanliness

Space

Personal comments

There was not a great deal of fitness equipment available and the rooms were relatively small. It was a University in China, though...what can one expect? If you value your space, privacy, and cleanliness, China (Hua Shi Da, anyway) is not the place for you.

Useful | 0

dtkemon

Furman University, Greenville, SC, United States
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Student life

Describe host city:

Students equally interact with the local and student community

Travel, Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment

Activities: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment

Personal social experience

Activities

Nightlife

Travel

Overall

Personal comments

Moon festival, the Long Bar, movie night with the US Marines.

Useful | 1

dtkemon

Furman University, Greenville, SC, United States
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Languages

Language of instruction: Chinese

Was learning Chinese a key decision factor?

Yes, I wanted to improve my Chinese

How much did you improve your Chinese?

My level before: Did not speak it
My level after: No problems in any areas (including slang)

Language difficulties

Social

Educational

Administrative / Institutional

Overall

Personal comments

The beauty of the backstreets did not unveil itself to any of the other students that I was with. I personally did not affiliate with them at all...in doing so, a whole new world invited me in. I acquired language sponsors; backstreet restaurant owners who would pull me in off the streets, sit me down, put food in front of me, and make me listen to/speak with anywhere from 2-30 native Chinese speakers speaking nothing but Chinese and Shanghai-hua. It was a truly wonderous and unequivocal experience.

Useful | 0

dtkemon

Furman University, Greenville, SC, United States
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Expenses

Main source of funding:

Family

Other sources of funding:

Personal savings

Work opportunities:

I didn't want/need to work

Personal spending habits

I spent less because everything is so much cheaper...plain and simple.

Food, Travel, Housing, Overall, Telephone, Nightlife:

was less expensive than at home.

Accessibility of student needs

Second-hand text books

Second-hand household items

Computers / Internet

Administrative

Money from home

Personal comments

Everything is negotiable.

Useful | 0

dtkemon

Furman University, Greenville, SC, United States
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement

Overall

I wish I had known...

No...but an appreciation for/understanding of Confucian ideology, Chinese philosophy, Chinese cultural history, and qi will assist those unfamiliar with China beyond articulation.

In my opinion:

I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.

Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important

Academic reasons

4

Culture

4

Costs

1

Activities

1

Campus life

1

Party / people

1

Weather / location

1

Personal recommendation

ECNU is not a setting for social butterflies to flourish. If you truly desire to learn something about yourself, contemporary China, and making the most of what you've got, Hua Shi Da is an unrivaled opportunity.

During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot

Became familiar with another culture

4

Traveled

4

Improved language skills

4

Met people from other countries

4

Became more independent

4

Partied a lot

4

Experienced a change in life

4

Advanced my studies & career

4

Final comments

You're only as alone as you want to be in China...travel alone (if you have self-confidence). Not only will you not be tied to anyone, but if you truly make attempts to learn the language, the Chinese will approach you and take care of you in ways that you cannot begin to fathom. It is unlike anything I have ever experienced anywhere else in the world.

Useful | 0