Study Abroad Opportunity for DS: Anyone Experience...

[Lynn CC]

By the way, what part of China would he be going to? If it's somewhere like Shanghai, it's a very modern city and easier to adjust to. I was quite surprised by Shanghai and how futuristic it was with all of the modern buildings/skyscrapers. Nestled in between all of this modern architecture is alot of very old chinese architecture. It's really a unique place. I hope while there your son will also have the opportunity to travel and see some of the closer countries like Taiwan, Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong.
Best of luck to him!

I'm not sure of the details, I'm just trying to get to the point of not looking petrified before I see him, so he doesn't sense my fear LOL
I think it may be Beijing, that is just hearsay though.

Sandy22 Quote:
The only thing I would worry about is the choice of country. One of my friends just cut short a teaching job in China - she was watched and monitored while she was there - even her e-mails were edited!

If anything went wrong and your DS got into trouble - you just couldn't count on diplomatic relations to help him. If it were my DS, I would insist he choose a democratic country like Japan.
I saw that piece on Dateline about the girl that went missing and was later found dead and then they uncovered another, I think that was in China, it wasn't on too long ago. I'm sure many people travel there every year though!
It's run through the University, he does speak/write the language, and is VERY familiar with the culture and loves it! I agree, a year is a long time, a semester would be better for me

 

[leighe]

I spent a semester in Strasbourg, France and another in London. It was one of the most wonderful and enriching experiences of my life! My college very much encouraged studying abroad and had semester-long programs set up in France, England, Mexico, and India and six week programs in a lot more places. I went with a group of students and professors from my school. We had classes Tuesday through Thursday (very intensive, however) so we were free to travel over the weekends. It was so much fun and I learned to be so independent and comfortable in unfamiliar surrounding and situations. We loved the Eurorail! I will definitely encourage DD to study abroad (it will be a while though - she's only 6 wks. )

 

[froglady]

I forgot to mention that a lot of these programs (at least the more "exotic" ones) draw from several different colleges, so DD was with students from all over.

They were very well prepped, as were the parents, in what to expect. They specifically went over the various stages of acclimation to a foreign country, particulary a country with a very different culture.

DD was able to get a lot more out of the program by ignoring as many negatives as possible, and concentrating on the positives. Whereas some of the students (they were all female) felt restricted by their host families' curfews, etc she tried to remember that it was being done for her protection. An open mind about other customs will go a long way, and never saying/thinking "That's not the way we do it at home so it must be wrong" or "why can't they...." and most importantly "This is just BS, I'm not going to do it this way" will make life a lot easier.

 

[JELBoggio]

I spent a college semester in England. LOVED the experience. Would love for my kids to be able to do this someday. I met lots of people from other countries, met my DH there (he is American and was studying there like me), travelled all over England to soak up the history and culture, easily took a plane to other countries over the 3-day weekends (we had no Friday classes). I would encourgage any one who has the opportunity to study abroad to do it!

I also spent a summer during high school in France and stayed with a French host family. I was only 15, and I loved it! I spoke a little French, used a dictionary a lot, and learned a lot about France and its culture. Another invaluable experience.

 

[kdibattista]

My cousin has a DS who's in the Netherlands now too - small world! I think he left in January and will be back in June too (not positive about the exact time frame since they live in another state). I'm not sure about his major either.

Oh wow!!! My brother is with Penn State

 

[horseshowmom]

Oh wow!!! My brother is with Penn State

I don't know what school he's with (as I said, they live in another state, so we really aren't close - we heard about it from my aunt who does live near us).