68 reviews
3.61 / 5 based on 68 reviews
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Caroline v
University of Redlands, Redlands, United States
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Student life
Describe host city:
Students interact with the local community without much university involvement
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Nightlife: Takes place mostly outside the university/student environment
Activities, Travel: Takes place both within and outside of the university/student environment
Personal social experience
Personal comments
Downtown Beijing was a great way to meet new people outside of the University and also to enjoy a night out on the town. Wudaokou is walking distance from the University and has many nice restaurants to visit with friends.
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Caroline v
University of Redlands, Redlands, United States
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Housing
Type of housing: On campus
Arranged by: Host university
If returning, I would choose: With a family
Why?
Living with a host family would force you to engage in Chinese daily life as well as improve your language fluency.
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Personal comments
Although the accommodations were idyllic in reference to cleanliness and space, I would have much preferred to live with other Chinese students. Most all American Study Abroad students living on campus were housed in our dorm. There were no Chinese students living near us.
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Caroline v
University of Redlands, Redlands, United States
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Expenses
Main source of funding:
Family
Other sources of funding:
none
Work opportunities:
I didn't explore any work options
Personal spending habits
China is generally cheaper than the United States so most everything cost less comparatively. I spent more on Nightlife and travel due to adventures with friends and taxi/flight expenses.
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Travel, Nightlife:
was more expensive than at home.
Telephone, Food, Overall, Housing:
was less expensive than at home.
Accessibility of student needs
Second-hand household items
Personal comments
I bought a cell phone and also used credits for Skype in order to communicate with friends and family. We purchased a router for internet in our dorm. Dorms come fully furnished so no need to buy/bring anything. Check with your banks to see which Chinese banks they are affiliated with so you can save transaction costs. You can also open an HSBC account and avoid any complications that way.
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Caroline v
University of Redlands, Redlands, United States
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Academic
Course recommendations
The Chinese language course was phenomenal. In regards to the other courses: It seemed most of the professors had slight issues engaging the students during class. Find something that interests the students in the subject and expand on that. When we were interested in something it seemed to pass by too quickly.
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My academic experiences
Interaction with teachers
Interaction with international students
Interaction with local students
My opinion of the university assessment
Exams throughout the course
Essays and/or projects at the end of course
Essays and/or projects throughout the course
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Caroline v
University of Redlands, Redlands, United States
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Overall
I wish I had known...
I wish I would have known that the dorm was basically American students only. If I had known this, I would have chosen a host family and lived off-campus.
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In my opinion:
I loved it but I'm not sure everybody would.
Important factors in my choice
(1) Unimportant – (4) Very important
Personal recommendation
Create an environment for the International Students to interact more with local students. Allow them to integrate within the dorms and bath houses.
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During my experience abroad, I ...
(1) Never – (4) A lot
Became familiar with another culture
Met people from other countries
Experienced a change in life
Advanced my studies & career
Final comments
I really enjoyed my time at Beijing University mainly because I took initiative in exploring the city and venturing out past the University gates. Had I stayed within the University, I think I would have been even more disappointed in the lack of integration. I would also have preferred some classes to be taught in Chinese so I could have improved my language skills that way too.
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Caroline v
University of Redlands, Redlands, United States
Business Studies, Undergraduate, University Agreement
Languages
Language of instruction: English
Local language was: Different than language of instruction
Was learning English a key decision factor?
No, it wasn't.
Was learning the local language a key decision factor?
Yes, I wanted to improve my the local language
How much did you improve your the local language?
My level before: Everyday knowledge (shopping, directions, etc.)
My level after: At ease in most situations
Language difficulties
Administrative / Institutional
Personal comments
I struggled somewhat in formal situations but in daily social life my Chinese proficiency improved drastically. I more confident and comfortable speaking with locals.
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