Germany: The Beginning - Baden Württemberg Exchange Past Review
By Guadalupe R (English, California State University - San Bernardino) for
Eberhard Karls Universitat Tubingen: Tubingen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My Study Abroad Experience was definitely worthwhile, because it helped me mature as a person and student, but it also helped achieve my dream--which was to become fluent in the German language. As a result of my success abroad, I plan to return in September 2011 to start business school and
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The differences between Germany and the United States that are clear--culture and language aside. However, these differences are most ubundantly clear within the education systems of each country. Although the high pace quarter system offered at CSUSB gives students longer breaks without work, the german system has students do most research work during the course the semester break, and it is just as intense if not fulfilling. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing arrangments were prepared prior to my arrival in my first year in Germany. However upon my second year, I went and looked for a different apartment with german roomates. |
| * Food: |
German food was amazing! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program in Horb was and remains, for me, one of the more important components to the program. By immersing its students into the german language, it keps develop and refine aural comprehension, as well as develop oral comprehension skills. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced German with most of my roomates, and in my german classes. However, I found that my language skills significantly improved in my second year, when I moved into an apartment with german roommates--creating a 24/7 german setting. I spoke no english whatsoever; as a result, their help and support also helped me pass the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang with the level DSH 2, which will allow me to return to Germany for Business School in the fall of 2011. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Go for it. Do not think about going to Germany once or twice with the CSUIP Program. It gave me the tools to not only become fluent in the language, but it also supported me and ultimately led me to take the DSH Exam, which now allows me to return to Germany by September 2011. It can be the beginning of something special! |
