Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Berlin, du bist so Wunderbar! Past Review

By (Political Science and Government., Clark University - Worcester) - abroad from 09/10/2014 to 12/19/2014 with

CIEE: Berlin - Open Campus Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I felt like I learned a lot about Berlin culture. It was so fun and energetic. It was completely worthwhile.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes at CIEE Berlin were outstanding and rigorous: 5 stars. The classes at Touro College Berlin were shockingly pathetic. 0 stars. The Touro classes each had a 5-7 paragraph (yes, paragraph) paper as the only assignment. No tests or quizzes. That was it.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had a great apartment but no wifi :(

* Food:

I cooked my own food because I lived alone.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

CIEE did a great job of helping us meet Germans. Had I chosen a host family instead I would have felt like this more. I made several friends who were ex-pat Americans that I met on my own.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was sick during the second week. A CIEE staff member helped advise me on how to navigate the German health system. She also made me fresh ginger tea (she showed up to the study center the next day with a ginger root, chopped it, and made me tea with it). That was so considerate.

* Safety:

I never felt like my safety was in danger. Note that I am a male.

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? $100

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? Beginner German II
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? If you want to learn the language, live with a home stay. I did not and I have some regrets about that.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Hotel
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • CIEE Berlin classes were excellent
  • My housing was nice (including location)
* What could be improved?
  • Touro College is a joke
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? a

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 Urbanite
A 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.