Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Getting through Germany January 03, 2025

By (Physics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/26/2024 to 12/21/2024 with

Constructor University: Bremen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I definitely learned more about myself and how to connect to others. It was worthwhile because I got to meet an incredible group of people to have unique, bonding experiences with.

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.

Lots of self-teaching. Grades depend 100% on the final exam, attendance and homework is not considered.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

It was difficult to find out who to talk to if you had a problem as well as their contact information. In most cases, I would reach out to the international or visa office via email and I would get a response 4-5 days later.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Heater would sometimes not work and laundry was an out-of-pocket expense. 400 euro housing deposit is required which can be a lengthy process if you don't have a European bank account or credit card. Rooms were spacious enough, but cleaning products and basic toiletries were also out-of-pocket.

* Food:

Meal plan was an absolute requirement and only 14 euros were distributed daily, which was not enough at all since a single meal (w/o a drink, dessert, fruit, etc.) could cost 5.50-7 euros. Burgers and pizza were available daily. There was a cafe in the library.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Lots of public events in the city (flea markets, live music, Christmas markets, etc)

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Applying and paying for healthcare was a lengthy process. My glasses broke but my insurance (TK) wouldn't cover it and it cost me around 220 euros. A regular eye exam was free.

* Safety:

Few drunk people on the streets, buses, and train stations, but most areas were well-lit so it was easy to keep aware of your surroundings.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would choose a liberal arts school instead of a STEM-based school. There were few interesting classes to choose from and it was difficult to build a support system or even a study group because the environment was very individualistic.

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)

1 - because I left Germany when exams ended (late December), I essentially lost 300 euros because of the meal plan. Most campus clubs have participation and equipment fees and there were few on-campus events, so you had to go off-campus for entertainment.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 100 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Practice self-control and treat yourself only once or twice a week.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Easy to travel to other countries
  • Transportation
  • Markets
* What could be improved?
  • Information
  • Meal plan cost/requirement
  • Out-of-pocket expenses
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Difference in academic culture compared to the US. I feel this was not emphasized at all.

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 Linguist
You 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!