Should've taken classes directly through the university. Past Review
By A student (Texas A&M University - College Station) - abroad from 06/19/2016 to 08/19/2016 with
AIFS: Berlin - Humboldt University
I learned a lot about myself and who I travel well/ live well with and what types of personalities just don't mesh.
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. |
Humboldt University's classes were very well established. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The advisor planned events, however, was not the most enjoyable experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We were promised wifi yet it didn't work for the first month of the program. |
| * Food: |
no food was provided other than the first welcome dinner, which was at a restaurant that left a lot to be desired. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
didn't experience problems |
| * Safety: |
our area could've been in one without homeless people camping in bushes right outside of the apartment, but Berlin in general just has a lot of homeless. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
too expensive, not enough activities that were worthwhile of going with the organization, didn't discourage the loudness of a group, treated us like we were children, not the most friendly. A lot of the participants are generally not aware of the necessity to integrate into the culture. |
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 we had to pay for all of the food and most activities, it got quite pricy. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | tax return receipts are your friend if you plan to do lots of shopping |
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? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 202 |
| 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? | find someone who is fluent in both languages and willing to be your conversation partner during the program as well. don't just stick to your study abroad friends |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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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? | that I could've saved a lot of money and had a better experience if I had went myself |
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.' |
