An Amazing Experience!! September 25, 2022
By Chloe B (Indiana University - Bloomington) - abroad from 01/03/2022 to 05/08/2022 with
CIEE: Berlin - Open Campus Program
I got to see a perspective on topics like sustainability through the lenses of Germany. They approach sustainable development, eco-friendly lifestyles, and transportation so differently than I was used to. I got to see these things firsthand, which was awesome. Although I didn't use German a lot, I definitely improved my proficiency through constant exposure. I think this was the most worthwhile experience I have ever had.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I enjoyed the set up of the classes. There are three blocks, where you enroll in two courses each. Each course is twice a week, in three hour increments. This leaves a lot of free time to spend how you would like. The instructors were all very friendly and helpful. The course load was not that hard which was nice, it left people a lot of time to hang out and be able to travel on weekends. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administrators are super helpful. They are responsive and help with just about any situation needed. I didn't interact a ton, but when I did they were great. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The majority of students are housed in a dorm. The typical set-up is a two person room with a bathroom. The room comes with a dresser and desk for each roommate. It also has a mini fridge and a microwave. Some of the rooms are a little small and there is not a ton of storage for other items. |
| * Food: |
You buy your own food/do your own grocery shopping. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I think it depends on the person. As a program, there isn't a ton of social integration with locals. The students live and attend classes with each other in the same building. But, living in the middle of the city helps create social and cultural integration. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I think Berlin was generally pretty safe. Everyone in Berlin likes to stay up, so I don't think we were ever really alone on the public transportation at any time of the night. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I think this was the perfect program for me. From the course load to the people, everything about it made it an ideal program. I thought CIEE did a wonderful job accommodating everyone and providing a positive, engaging experience. Berlin itself is a really fun. unique city. |
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) |
I thought Berlin was pretty affordable. For a city as big as it is, the prices are pretty reasonable, especially in Kreuzberg. |
| 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 |
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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 |
I took a German course abroad which was useful. I knew a little bit of the language from highschool, but almost everyone in Berlin speaks English. |
| 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? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Four years of German in highschool |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | I would try to speak to the servers in German, even if they respond in English, your are still practicing. I would also try to absorb German entertainment, read a book or watch a movie in German. |
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? | Although it would not have changed my choice, I would have liked to know that within the program you aren't exposed to that many locals. You become close friends with the other American students, which ended up being great! |
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. |
