Quite the experience Past Review
By A student (Communication and Media Studies & German Area Studies, Fordham University) - abroad from 08/19/2013 to 12/21/2013 with
Boston University: Dresden - University Studies Program
I was already relatively familiar with German culture due to previous experiences (friends + living in neighboring Switzerland) however I learned a great deal about East German culture which is definitely prevalent even today in areas such as Dresden
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. |
Work load for 2 language classes (for non-native speakers) was fair and valuable, work load for TUD masters seminar also fair but challenging based on content. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
BU Dresden administration either did not communicate things to students or things were not communicated in detail, which many times lead to confusion and frustration on my part. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The building itself was in a fairly poor state - from infrastructure to security (there were 2 occasions when intruders were reported in the building and caused trouble) |
| * Food: |
As someone who enjoys a variety of food and eats fairly consciously, Germany is not the place to do so. I was already somewhat familiar with this, however. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was easy for me personally to get to know and interact with locals and the culture since I have lived in Switzerland for almost 8 years, however the opportunities in which to do so were limited to nightlife/on campus. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Fairly safe city other than the 2 intruders mentioned previously in the dorm; if traveling in Eastern Europe, however, be very cautious with your belongings. |
| 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) |
Traveling and non-generic food drained much of my financial resources |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 200.00 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Netto (generic, cheap food store) is the most convenient food store however Rewe was the best food option in my opinion - prices were not that much higher; hostels are most likely the cheapest accommodations however keep an eye out for cheap hotels as well |
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 |
Spoke almost every day for hours at a time |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Goethe Zertifikat C1 (2010) |
| 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 not to hang out with Americans/English speakers and befriend a (German) classmate |
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? | Reality of registering for classes at TU Dresden - I was under the assumption we (BU Dresden Program) students were entitled to register for any class at TUD however because registration information for us came in later, we were limited in our choice of classes |
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. |
