In love with Berlin!!!! Past Review
By Ekaterina Hauff (Tiffin University) - abroad from 08/21/2017 to 12/15/2017 with
AIFS: Berlin – Freie University
I gained so much confidence and global awareness. As psychology and international management student the experience I had in Berlin can't be compared with anything. My time in Berlin is highlight of my college career.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I took five academic courses, four subject courses and one language course. All of the subject courses were intense and challenging. But I think it also depends on you previous courses. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
On-site administration was amazing. While, I was on mid-term break in Barcelona my wallet got stole with my student id and public transportation pass. But administration at the university helped me restore everything. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed with a host family and I really loved it. Me and my host family had a great time together. Often we had movie nights and amazing discussions about politics, health care, and education. We still stay in touch and I am planing to visit them after graduation. |
| * Food: |
Since, I stayed with host family, my breakfast and dinner was included. My host mother cooked amazing German food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I had amazing social and cultural life in Berlin. People were friendly and curious. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Often I walked in the evening after classes and felt very safe. Also, most of the time I was traveling by public transportation that is very efficient. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had time of my life, living in very diverse city. I was able to travel to other European country and met so many inspiring people. I can't say more but that Berlin is amazing!!! |
Finances
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* 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) |
Since, my food was included I spent little on the food. However, I am a big spender and I did spent a lot on personal expenses. But I was also prepared to spent some money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100-200 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I worked before I left and saved every paycheck around $100 but I also got some scholarships through my school. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish i knew that could stay there whole year. I though that my university can only let me be there one semester and I didn't hear anything about year program. |
