Dresden: Not perfect but overall a good experience Past Review
By Elise S (German Studies, Biology, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/17/2014 to 07/19/2014 with
Boston University: Dresden - University Studies Program
I loved being abroad and I learned a lot about myself. It was definitely worthwhile and gained new language skills and friends.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
While the program tried to help us with the University, TUD was not only hard to navigate academically, but the classes were also way too hard for someone of my language level. Even though I have been learning German for about 10 years, the university level classes were very challenging. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The onsite administrators were very helpful and supportive! I was really impressed. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was not satisfied with my living arrangements. In the program, you live in an international dorm. I had requested to live with other German speakers but ended up living with other Americans in the program. If you want to speak German in a home/living setting, then this is not the program for you. |
| * Food: |
I really like German cuisine, so I was very satisfied with food in general. But in the program we lived in dorms and made our own food, so one could hypothetically eat anything they wanted. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated into the local culture but I decided to join an extracurricular outside of my program. I row in the US and I decided to join the rowing team there. I had a great experience and made a lot of friends. However, if you want to feel integrated, it's really something you have to do for yourself. There are opportunities but you have to go out and find them in the community. Just going to class did not really allow to meet or speak with other Germans. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no healthcare issues but if I did, I wouldn't have been worried. The healthcare system is very well organized in Germany. |
| * Safety: |
Germany is very safe and I never felt unsafe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
Finances
|
* 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) |
I thought this was pretty easy. You got a stipend of about 300 euros a month after paying for your room. And there was a discount grocery store right by the dorm. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | maybe 50 euros a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy food from grocery stores!! Not at restaurants. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
We had to take a language class and they encouraged us to speak it outside of the program, but they didn't give us many opportunities to speak the language otherwise. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | An upper level class on German Literature: |
| 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? | Join an extracurricular. Do things outside of the program. Speak as little English as possible. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | That university classes are not always doable and not all teachers will take into account that you are not a native speaker. |
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.' |
