A Great Personalized Experience Past Review
By David F (Seton Hill College) - abroad from 06/26/2014 to 08/02/2014 with
European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU
I learned to be relatively self-reliant. I hadn't cooked much prior to going, and I was forced by the circumstances to cook for myself. I just gained a greater sense of independence. That is the most valuable thing a study abroad trip should give you.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Only two classes taken. One was fairly standard in the work undertaken throughout the semester both in and outside the classroom. The other was very much back-loaded, having several intensive assignments due by the last few days or so. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
All administrators were very helpful. They had a legitimate desire to facilitate a great experience for everyone. Their responsiveness was very quick and accurate. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The rooms were very nice. Some rooms allowed for one, which was nice for me, others were double occupancy. Besides the lack of air conditioning on some pretty brutally hot nights, all was well with the accommodations. |
| * Food: |
Aside from a few meals provided, there was no cafeteria or anything of the sort. This is a very good thing, as it forces you to find your own food and grow as a person, if you have not yet lived on your own and strayed from your home university's dining hall. The meals they did provide were top notch German cuisine. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were opportunities to experience cultural activities what with the number of excursions and the like. The German administrators did a nice job in explaining various cultural fores that may have puzzled some who had no exposure to the country prior to the trip. I have a German friend that lives around the Heidelberg area and got to spend a great deal of time, which perhaps gave me a little more social and cultural integration. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no experiences in hospitals or anything of the like. The school requires you sign up for international health insurance during your stay. |
| * Safety: |
Heidelberg really has no safety issues. Aside from areas that may have a larger immigrant population, there is no problem in the way of pickpocketting or violence. If you visit Berlin, as we did during the trip, you should obviously be more aware of your surroundings being a very large city. |
| 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 didn't keep track of my money meticulously, but it wasn't bad. I still had a decent amount remaining by the end of my time there. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I would say maybe 45-50 Euros per week maybe. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Just buy food at any of the local supermarkets. I found the prices to be quite good. Don't eat out every single meal. |
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 |
Most of everything was arranged for us by the administrators. There was no German language prerequisite for the program, and I don't believe anyone beside myself had taken much German prior to the trip. I'm sure if you knew some stuff, they'd encourage you to try if you're comfortable. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced German Grammar |
| 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? | Find a German friend to practice with. |
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? | The exact schedule would have been nice to have a couple weeks sooner, that way I could have planned my own activities a bit better. |
