Amazing, incredible, wonderful, unforgettable experience. Past Review
By A student (The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 08/28/2013 to 12/21/2013 with
European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU
It was definitely worthwhile. I learned about hard work, and traveling, and life, and the world.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Taking SRH classes has proven to be more difficult. Taking out about a total of an hour total for travel and then 3 and half for class time, means taking out about 4 to 5 hours of your day for class. As opposed to ESC classes, where it's much easier to access professors, classrooms, classmates, and everything in between, SRH classes are way harder. TCNJ students also do not take one class intensive for 5 weeks, whereas SRH does. Thus, the coarse load is harder, and comes all at one. You only have five weeks to do all projects, homework, and exams, and then it's over. So, if students are considering to take more than one SRH class at a time, they should keep these things in mind. It can get harder and harder. SRH classes I learned are designed to be taken one at a time because that is how SRH students take their classes, that is also why their coarse materials are heavy and all at once. I would suggest taking one class at SRH and the rest at the ESC. SRH has been a great great experience and I have made many friends that are German, making me feel more ingrained in German society this semester, but I would definitely have regretted taking two SRH classes at the same time. It would be too much to handle It would be too much to handle I think. Maybe future students can take two SRH classes if they want but in two different 5-week periods?? |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I love the ESC. It's a very homey, very comfortable place to live. In the future, new kitchen pans would definitely be good to have, and utensils, maybe another vacuum? Also, screen for windows for especially people on the second floor because it can be impossible to open windows to air out windows because bugs and bees fly in almost immediately. Overall, the housing situation is great, just better upkeep may add to the living situation. |
| * Food: |
Food is easy to access because there are so many grocery stores around. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I only felt really integrated after I started at SRH. I think going to class there is almost essential because living and going to school with only Americans doesn't do much with integration. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Access was great. Doctor was very near and anytime I need help, I had a doctors appointment made immediately and every need was addressed. |
| * Safety: |
Heidelberg is very, very safe. I have never felt unsafe in my four months no matter what. |
| 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) |
I spent about 100 euros a week, or less. I tried to save as much as possible as I didn't come with a lot of money, but euros are expensive and some weeks groceries ended up costing me more than I thought. Lidl is pretty much the place to go, and I couldn't shop much because of money issues. I think it really depends on the individual's budget and financial situation. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 100 euros or less. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Shop at Lidl, ReWe can be almost double the price for same items, don't spend what you don't need so you can save for travel and emergencies. Take trams more than taxis and utilize train pass. |
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 did not study german. |
| 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? | Talk to locals and SRH students |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I would have saved more money to travel more, maybe taken the SRH class in the beginning to have more free time now, the intensive structure of the class takes away from travel/free time. |
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 NetworkerAn active student leader, it was important for you to network abroad as well. Once overseas, you sought out student clubs, volunteered with local organizations, or attended community events. You encouraged your friends join you, and often considered how you could reflect your international experiences in a resume. |
