Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Travel made me aware of my place in this big ol world. BEST EXPERIENCE EVER Past Review

By (University of the Incarnate Word) - abroad from 01/04/2013 to 05/04/2013 with

European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how connected we all are on this planet. There are huge barriers such as language, food and customs but there is more that brings us together than tears us apart. If you even have a yearning to travel do it, it is scary at first but you will leave Germany a changed person.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes are wonderful, and flexible. Due to the fact there are only 8 students, the sense of college is lost a little when it feels more like an elementary school class. More acceptance to the fact that students are also here to study would have been nice. Overall amazing professors and many fun excursions all over Germany.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Wonderful, perhaps one of the nicest and most understanding people I spoke to concerning this trip.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Beautiful building, once you have lived in the ESC it is hard to go back to a dorming on campus. The building is beautiful and big with many halls, stairs and rooms. The rooms are spacious and well furnished.

* Food:

You must go to the grocery, keep in mind that many foods that are available back home or not in the grocery. The city has a variety of restaurants and cafes.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I feel very integrated and I have found so much to learn from the culture. It is truly an experience I will never forget. Heidelberg is the melting pot of Germany it is different enough to learn from but similar enough to live comfortable.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Medicine is not so easily given here in Germany, make sure to research all the medications you may need and see how you may attain it while in Germany.

* Safety:

The city is beyond safe, you can walk home by yourself at any hour on any day. It has an old town feel and being that it is a sleepy town and a university town as well there is sense of security.

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)

You can budget yourself to spend as low as 50 euros a week or spend as much as you'd like.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? minimum $100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy your traveling tickets to travel around europe on Ryan Air, Go to the grocery store and also start family dinners that can help lower the cost of a group dinner when its cooked at home.

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? None
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? I had never studied german, so it was extremely hard to adjust but you learn better when you are in the country of origin of that language.
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? AT LEAST STUDY A WEEK BEFORE YOU COME GERMAN. TAKE A COURSE IF POSSIBLE OR ROSETTA STONE.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • the location, is beautiful
  • the professors are great, very understanding and extremely kind.
  • The people I met from all over the world
* What could be improved?
  • Some of the excursions are a drag especially if you are not a business major.
  • Having two classes mandatory was a little overwhelming.
  • The weather is not in the hands of the program but planning trips on extremely cold days were not great ideas.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I hadn't been so nervous, I also wish I would have at least picked up a german language book to at least not been so confused. I wish I would have researched more on Heidelberg because there are so many secret places to see, and treasures in this city.

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.