Valuable, Caring, Superb Study Abroad with AIFS May 09, 2021
By Sadie (Champlain College) - abroad from 08/17/2019 to 12/06/2019 with
AIFS: Berlin – Freie University
Absolutely worthwhile! I learned to be so much more independent and how to be spontaneous and appreciate the moment, especially during my fall break traveling alone. The Resident Director in Berlin was amazing and showed me all sorts of cool spots in the city and encouraged me to continue with my German!
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. |
The education style is definitely different -- lots of reading and only three base assignments for my classes (besides German). I felt like I learned a lot and it was fairly rigorous. The professors were super responsive and understanding, while holding us to high standards. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Everyone was super helpful and the FU-BEST program AIFS partners with at Freie Universitat took care of our visas for us, so minimal stress. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was so, so, so thrilled with my host family. The person who matched us did a great job, and I'm still in contact with my family today! |
| * Food: |
The Mensa (cafeteria) at the university had pretty good options and with the student discount, it was EXTREMELY affordable! Breakfast and dinner are included as part of living with a host family as well so that was awesome and I got to try authentic German home cooking. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Living with a host family really made me feel integrated with the local culture, but even if I weren't living with them, the Resident Director and the included trips, tours, and activities with AIFS definitely integrated me with the culture! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I personally didn't have an experience where I needed health care, but my friends who did were well taken care of. The insurance when I went was CISI and fairly straightforward. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. There was a break-in at one student apartment, but it was handled very well and was definitely an extraordinary experience. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
Berlin is super affordable, especially with all the student discounts - definitely ask for those wherever you go! |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | - ask for student discounts EVERYWHERE - try out doing a staycation in your city! - eat lunch from the supermarket, you can make a great meal and see local food! - cheap bus travel (especially good if you are okay with sleeping on the bus) |
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? | 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? | B2 |
| 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? | Actively try to speak to people (friends, host family, professors, cafe/restaurant workers) Learn words for you hobbies -- if you like rock climbing, learn all the words that have to do with that! |
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 felt very well prepared! I wish I knew how amazing everyone was so I could get to know them faster! One practical thing I wish I knew was when the visa expired because I ended up in a tight situation because of that. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
