<p>Hey, are any of you thinking of studying abroad?
I was procrastinating last night and i think i found where i might want to go. There is a fall semester study abroad program in China. Specifically, Fudan University, Shanghai. Shanghai looks like such an amazing city and i am really interested in China’s political, economic and social infrastructure. Its economy is growing 6-7 faster than that of the US’s and it is sure to be a world superpower in years to come. At Fudan University, i would mostly be taking courses on Globalization and International Relations, both fascinating subjects. </p>
<p>Here is the UC’s study abroad website:
<a href=“http://eap.ucop.edu/[/url]”>http://eap.ucop.edu/</a> </p>
<p>Just curious who else is thinking of studying abroad-when/where/why.</p>
<p>I FOR SURE want to...I hear that junior year is a good time to go.</p>
<p>I really don't know where I'd go...the only place I could break the language barrier would be Russia, haha. I would do it though. I'd love to go there and study music or something (my minor) because I'm positive they have amazing programs/schools for that.</p>
<p>I was also thinking about the Dartmouth exchange program...you've heard of that right?</p>
<p>China sounds really sweet.</p>
<p>I'm definitely studying abroad, for more than one semester. There's so many choices! I'm also planning on doing the Alternative Spring Break thing to Peru or Costa Rica. Maybe even both!</p>
<p>Yeah I saw the Dartmouth exchange thing and thought that was interesting.</p>
<p>However, I am torn between another year in France or learning another language (if anything, Italian)..If I went back to France I would be pedagogically/academically fluent and I think for the most part that would serve me well...</p>
<p>Living abroad changed my life. It is definitely a must for any rational human being...</p>
<p>Haha...I've had the UC's study abroad website bookmarked for YEARS now, amateurs. Studying abroad is something I absolutely plan on doing.</p>
<p>At the moment, I'm leaning towards Russia, but probably could be persuaded to go someplace else. As long as I'm out of the country, I'll probably be out of my mind with happiness.</p>
<p>I am going to go to london</p>
<p>I'm definitely going to Spain. I'm dying to visit Madrid and Barcelona.</p>
<p>London! Been there, and CRAVE to go back. </p>
<p>I've always wanted to go to New Zealand or Ireland. I'm into GREEN!</p>
<p>if you guys are planning on going to shanghai fudan, here are a few pointers</p>
<ol>
<li>dont expect anything from the dorms (trust me, ive LIVED in one)</li>
<li>the campus is really far from the center of the city</li>
<li>no traditional american college life on campus (city can get pretty crazy with all the clubs though)</li>
</ol>
<p>ive lived in shanghai for a year (9th grade) and have gone back at least twice a year since</p>
<p>also, dont expect everything to be super cheap (or affordable, even) because shanghai is the mainlands richest city... you want fancy=probably going to cost double what it costs in america</p>
<p>@ Kenneth- You said the campus is really far from the center of the city. How fare is "really far"? 30 minutes; or longer? Is there some some of subway system or public transportation that i could take to the main parts of the city from the campus?</p>
<p>Someone go with me to study abroad in Barcelona our junior year. Please! Let my five years of Spanish not go to waste.</p>
<p>'Lest I kidnap someone and drag them along, and that just requires too much dirty work.</p>
<p>Barcelona is one of THE coolest cities in the world. I was there for 3 weeks (and New Years)</p>
<p>Hey if you want to see a lot of the city, see the movie "L'Auberge Espagnole" it's an AMAZING movie that deals with the study-abroad experience...I totally related to the movie and just absolutely loved it. </p>
<p>ps- it's in French but has subtitles...</p>
<p>l'auberge espagnole is such a cute movie it really makes you want to have like 5 roommates from everywhere...not to mention live in barcelona!</p>
<p>im for sure gna study abroad, junior year i think- im definitely going to the middle east but i dont know if ima go for a semester or a full year.</p>
<p>Tdaws: the nearest subway station isnt within walking distance.. but taxis and busses are easily accessible (shanghai has over 1000 bus lines)</p>
<p>at night though, if youre coming back at 2-3am, dont expect to find any buses (or any taxi drivers willing to take you that far, lol)</p>
<p>by taxi, maybe itll be something like 15-20 usd from fudan to people's square (center of city)
by bus, itll be less than 50 cents but itll take ages to get there</p>
<p>@kenneth; Thanks. You say the bus takes ages, is that over or under an hour? Additionally, is there stuff to do around the area of the school, or is the only fun worth having in the main part of the city?</p>
<p>@lecorbeau and larawantscollege
Russian Dolls, the sequel to L'Auberge Espagnole is coming out on the 19th. :)</p>
<p>tdaws: its probably around 2 hours by bus, since the bus stops at every 2-3 blocks (not to mention, 50 people get on and nobody gets off, at every stop). and that particular area is where all of shanghai's universities are, so naturally there will be many students around there. however, chinese people arent exactly known to be huge partiers, but there might be a bar or two in the vicinity. (people will probably be studying inside though, lol). </p>
<p>fudans vicinity is being developed right now so not really anything to do. but if you want to study, its one of chinas premier schools (3rd or 4th)</p>
<p>clubs are usually located at this one place called "huai hai lu." you got the cheapy clubs with cheapy drinks (and people running out every few seconds throwing up because they drank too much) and those expensive clubs that will set you back 200usd a night</p>
<p>if youre a foreigner though, and you know some native people, it wont be difficult to "make new friends".... (trust me on that one)</p>
<p>@ Kenneth; Do you know if the school provides shuttle buses to the main part of the city? Also, would you recommend going to this university for a study abroad term? Because the way your describing it, its good for studying but you can rarely go into the main part of the city, where all the interesting stuff is, because its either too far or too expensive? Shanghai looks like an amazing city, but id think it might be a waste to study abroad there if i'll rarely get to see it. Though the curriculum for the study abroad term sounds very interesting- its on globalization and International Relations; The other study abroad trips to China in Beijing dont have as interesting a curriculum, though they might be closer to more interesting things.</p>
<p>T: they probably do on weekends... but most likely they will have shuttles to the nearest subway station just because some people commute to school</p>
<p>i would suggest going if you want to diversify your background and have some hardcore learning experience. if youre not into socializing 24-7, then just do it... if youre a party animal, id reconsider.</p>