Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Viennese Bliss Past Review

By (Media Studies and German, Austin College) - abroad from 08/27/2012 to 01/30/2013 with

Central College Abroad: Study Abroad in Vienna, Austria

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained more self confidence and bettered my German. It was most definitely worthwhile. I loved the country and I loved the people. At the end of it my Austrian roommate was begging me not to leave. It was a life changing experience.

Review Photos

Central College Abroad: Vienna - Multiple Photo Central College Abroad: Vienna - Multiple Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The abroad directors for Central College Vienna go above and beyond to help their students succeed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a dorm with an Austrian student and we were a perfect match.

* Food:

I mostly cooked myself. Food was not a part of our program fees.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 dollars
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I just planned how much money I would have per month and tried not to spend over that amount.

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

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? German 202. The intermediate level of German.
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Go to stores and do not be afraid to as questions. If you speak with a total stranger at the store, like a worker or something at the store. It will help because I have noticed that if you start with one language you tend to stay in that language. Don't be afraid to speak with the locals.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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?
  • The living situation.
  • The intensive language course that met everyday for 3 hours.
  • The directors. Ruth and Michaela worked very hard to ensure we had a great experience.
* What could be improved?
  • It is very hard to get the students to speak German with each other, myself included.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That Vienna does not believe in Wi-fi. It was very hard to find and virtually made all my electronics useless. There was internet but we needed a cable. So if I had known beforehand I would have brought my own instead of having to buy one there.

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'