Bier & Techno in the Heart of Berlin Past Review
By A student (California State University - Long Beach) - abroad from 06/20/2016 to 08/19/2016 with
AIFS: Berlin - Humboldt University
I learned to become more independent and gained more self confidence in myself, not as shy as I used to be, lived the international experience by adapting to new cultural surroundings, and I am more capable to cope with stress now. Going abroad was definitely the best decision I have ever made and I have fortunate to have done it. I thought I already knew most about German culture, but now going to Germany have opened my eyes to new things.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The educational experience was great. It was quite interesting learning from a German method of teaching compared to an American one. I did not need credits from my study abroad, so I did take days off from class to travel, but I did enjoy the concepts and lessons that were provided from the classes. The B1 level of German was quite intimidating at first, because everything was mostly conversational practice and not grammar. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I liked that we had our Berlin adviser Nele to help us if we had questions for anything. The fact that she was able to switch a class for me through a text message was beyond amazing. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
We pay a lot through AIFS, so it was nice that we were guaranteed housing, compared to other students who were not. |
| * Food: |
The food situation is you either cook at home which saves money, or you can go out and eat. Whatever you prefer. I did the mixture of the two. Berlin is a multikulti capital city that has tons of different cuisines. I ate Japanese food, Chinese, Lebanese, Mexican, Italian, and of course German food. There is always something for everyone's different palate. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I tried to speak in German with locals when I would go out ex: ordering in restaurants or asking for directions etc. I did feel a little bit more culturally integrated because I had a German friend there who showed me around to local places that German natives hang out at. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No health problem during trip. |
| * Safety: |
Germany does have a lot going on now ex: migration crisis and where people are afraid to go to Europe because of said "terrorist attacks" but I felt very safe. Germany in general is a very safe country. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
The program was great because it was all inclusive. So it was perfect for someone like me who has never traveled alone before. But for half the price, I could have applied directly thru Humboldt Uni and had just the same experience as the other students who did that. $12K (airfare and Prague excursion) with AIFS is quite pricey for only 2 months. |
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 a very cheap city to live in. Food and Bier is cheap, housing is cheap etc. But for me I liked going out on the weekends: clubs, bars etc, traveling, and eating out, so I was spending a lot of money. I didn't really work on a budget. But i'm sure if I budgeted better I would have more saved more money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | maybe around 150 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to cook at home, pregame before you hit the clubs etc to save money. And if you want to travel consider taking bus trips like thru FlixBus instead of the train or an airplane ticket (unless its RyanAir or EasyJet!). I went from Berlin to Munich with a bus for 22 euro! |
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 |
The program was with Americans...so we all spoke English together unless we would practice our German if we were taking the German class. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 300 |
| 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? | Make friends with locals! Go out to the small local divey bars or restaurants, stay away from the "hipster" places where travelers all speak English at. |
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 about buying a German sim card for my phone! I paid $120 per month with AT&T for a international plan. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
