This study abroad has been Sehr Ausgezeichnet! Past Review
By A student (Finance and Financial Management Services., The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 08/24/2013 to 12/21/2013 with
European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU
I have learned and gained so much from my time abroad. I have learned so much about myself as a person and about the world around me. I have also gained new friends. I have met people here that I will keep in touch with even if we do not go to the same school, or live in the same state.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Being able to study abroad has been an amazing experience for me. I get to go to class and learn new things but in Germany! While right outside the doors of the ESC is an amazing world waiting to be explored, school is still my main priority and it can not be put to the side. The coarse work is just the right amount that I do not feel overwhelmed with work. And the resources that are provided are great. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The on site administration is awesome! Everyone is so helpful. Anything questions or concerns you have you can just walk down to reception and all will be answered. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I love that I have my own room. My room here at the ESC is a little on the smaller side but I have learned to love it! I have all the basic things like a desk, bed, closet and a little fridge to store my food. The only two things that i wish were changed are the small bathrooms with only three shower stalls and two toilets with a floor of most girls gets a little hectic! And the other thing is that there are two washing machines for the whole group. There are 30+ of us and only two washers and one dryer, sometimes it takes me all day to wash and dry my cloths. |
| * Food: |
The ESC provides us with a kitchen where we have to cook our own food. Sometimes is gets a little hectic when the whole floor wants to eat at the same time with only 4 burners. But the Kebabs are great! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Between packing my groceries like a pro, riding the trams and buses and being approached by multiple Germans for directions, I feel like i have integrated pretty well into the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I have not gotten sick here in Heidelberg so I have not had any experiences with the healthcare. A few others at school have gotten sick but it was easy for them to see a doctor. Reception set up an appointment for them and even took them to the doctors. |
| * Safety: |
I feel really comfortable and safe in Heidelberg. There isnt a lot of crime that goes on here and I have only heard the sirens of police cars less than a handful of times since coming here. |
| 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) |
I had saved up all my money from the spring semester when I knew I was going to study abroad. With my saved up money I had a little wiggle room with how much money I could spend on personal expenses. It can be done with a minimal amount of money but you really have to be on top of your expenses. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 120 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | be on top of your money! Dont just go out and spend money in one place. |
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 |
All of our classes are in English so no german is spoken. I am taking a german 101 classes but outside of the class I speak english. |
| 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? | none |
| 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? | Buy a book or watch youtube videos on the language of the country your studying abroad in. Even if it is only basic phrases your already ahead of the game. |
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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* 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? | 0 |
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? | I wish I took the time to learn a little bit of the language before I got here, would make communicating with people a whole lot easier! |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
