Great Summer in Germany Past Review

By (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 07/01/2016 to 08/12/2016 with

Academy for International Education /AIB: Bonn - Internships Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot more German and things that I can use in the future about museums.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I learned a lot about working in a museum and how to handle artifacts, which is what I wanted to do.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were always able to help us when we needed it.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with a host family and they were nice but I wish it had been an option to live in an apartment because I would have preferred to take care of myself.

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was sick and I got an appointment the same day and it only took about 30 minutes. It also didn't cost that much.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I did an internship at a museum like I wanted and Bonn wasn't too big but it wasn't to small either.

Finances

* 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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 115
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? No

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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? German Intermediate II
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? Try and find someone to talk to and also try to memorize lots of vocab.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The Internship
* What could be improved?
  • Living Situations
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish that I had known about the living situation. I didn't find out until I got there that we were staying with the same host family for the internship as well.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!