"Ich bin ein Berliner" Past Review
By A student (Neurobiology and Neurosciences., Barnard College) - abroad from 08/31/2013 to 07/25/2014 with
Columbia University: Berlin - Berlin Consortium for German Studies / BCGS Program
Going abroad was the best experience I have ever had!! It was a challenge, especially as a Neuroscience Major, but with enough credits and determination, it is most certainly doable.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Unlike some other study abroad programs, BCGS is very academically intense. It is first and foremost STUDYING abroad, which can be very challenging in a new environment and an unfamiliar language. But exactly for that reason, it was all the more rewarding. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I could not have any more respect for the on-site administration of this program. Carmen and Niko are the most competent, helpful and hardworking people, and I cannot imagine my Berlin experience without them. Carmen has a saying, "Even if there isn't a way, THERE IS." Her "make it work" attitude really makes for a positive environment in which her students can thrive because they feel safe and know they have so many resources at their fingertips. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very! This program teaches you to be as independent as possible which means that even person in the program makes their own living arrangements. I ended up living in an apartment with 3 other young German students. It was great immersion! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Definitely! I could not feel more integrated. It was so hard and painful to leave. Due to the setup of the program, we were all very independent and rarely had contact with other Americans. The program encouraged us to integrate with REAL Germans in every way possible (sports, classes, living, etc.) |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
In Germany, it is mandatory for every resident to have health insurance. The Monday after arriving in Germany (I arrived on Saturday August 31st), representatives from the AOK (student insurance) came directly to the office and helped us sign up/register. All in all, the advising we got from our program was incredible! |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~100 Euros a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I wrote down EVERY penny I spend in Germany for the first month in order to work out a budget with my parents. I got so used to it, that I actually continued writing down everything for the entire 12 months that I was there. It was a very helpful learning experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone!! It really helps you manage your finances. |
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 |
We all spoke German all the time. |
| 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? | German Literature |
| 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? | Start speaking in your country's language from the very beginning! If you get off on a bad start (speaking English), it will be very difficult to reverse your habits as a group midway through. |
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? | 10+ |
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? | It should be known that the academics and grading policy in Germany is VERY different than it is in the US system. As a science major who is also Pre-med, grades are VERY important making it difficult to excel (and receive good grades) in hard classes that most German students take pass/fail. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
