Past Review

By (HISTORY., Centre College) for

Centre College: Strasbourg - Centre in Strasbourg

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I am not qualified to answer this because each individual formulates his or her own interpretation of every experience. I will say this however, "When all is said and done, you'll regret it if you didn't have the guts to try!"

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Ken Keffer is the best educator I have had at Centre College. As someone who critical of Centre's cost to benefit ratio, I believe Ken Keffer is worth $40,000 a year by himself. His ability to mold academics and culture together for a truly holistic educational exerience was first rate. Astrid Hullar was another gem of the program. Her compassion for students and love of American curiousity made a great French Professor. Her candid and honest approach to teaching made her real and energetic in my class. The professors help make my study abroad experience!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

If you are referring to our cordinator I will let my rating speak for itself. Good at supplying apartments with the essentials and getting tickets for trains, but not very personable or knowledgable when asked questions.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Vosge is the best apartment to live in hands down. Spacious, hardwood floors, good neighbors, and great location. With a grocery store 7 doors down and Pizza Hut on your way, you can't complain. Other than random roommates stealing your towel while taking a shower...priceless...the apartment was perfect. <br /><br />

* Food:

Of course it was good, I was my own chef!

* 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? 20-30 euros.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? I would advise people to eat cheap during the week so that you can spend more money on good food when you travel.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
Language acquisition improvement?

I started out with the most basic knowledge possible. By the end, I knew enough to get by in public, but not enough to carry on detailed conversations.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't Plan, DO!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

European Literature

Course Department:
Instructor: Ken Keffer
Instruction Language: English/French/German/Kant
Comments: Great class for studying abroad. You learn the development of European Literature from Erasmus to Ibsen while exploring the cultural references behind the text. "but not outside the text"~Keffer
Credit Transfer Issues: NO
Course Name/Rating:

The Art of Walking

Course Department:
Instructor: Ken Keffer
Instruction Language: English/German/French/Kant
Comments: Not an easy course but one you must take before you die! The multi-dimensional aspects of this class are truly an experience. Evaluating the Critique of Judgment is a great way to challenge the technique of how everyday people percieve the world. In taking this course, you develop a new appriciation for walking around and percieving the things around you. You also get to jump up and down everytime the course is mentioned on The Today Show or Jeopardy!
Credit Transfer Issues: NO
Course Name/Rating:

Intermediate French

Course Department: FRE 210
Instructor: Astrid Hullar
Instruction Language: French/English
Comments: LOVE THIS WOMAN! She is truly compassionate about her work and the students she comes into contact with. SHe understands the difficulty in learning a new language and will spend extra time with you if you request it. She is candid and allows the class to express thier humor while learning a language. She is just great!
Credit Transfer Issues: NO
Course Name/Rating:

European Government

Course Department:
Instructor: Pierre Nuss
Instruction Language: French/ English/Alsacian
Comments: A class you must take while studying in Strasbourg. The class directly discusses the EU and the political bodies that govern EU law. With Strasbourg the home to the EU Parliment and the European Council, this class helps you understand the Strasbourg dynamic as well as the EU system. It comes with the price of excessive note taking and memorization but extremely worth it in the end. You learn a lot and have a good time doing it!
Credit Transfer Issues: NO