Great time to experience Europe in a short amount of time Past Review
By Cassidy Fritts (University of the Incarnate Word) - abroad from 05/30/2016 to 06/24/2016 with
European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Learned more about the Heidelberg community and the current "refugee crisis." I was able to go volunteer and meet members of organizations that work to help local community members as well as refugees and immigrants.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
|
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
|
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
|
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
|
| * Safety: |
|
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Mainly because I would like to do a study abroad program more geared towards my major next. |
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) |
|
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Approx. $50 or so depending on if I was traveling around or not. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan your weekend trips out ahead as well as when you really want to eat out for dinner or lunch. This will let you know approximately how much money you actually need to bring in addition to what you will spend on weekly groceries, which can be relatively cheap depending on what you're cooking/making for meals. |
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? | Beginner |
| 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? | German 1 |
| 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? | Download Duolingo and try to at least learn frequently used phrases and words. Although most Germans speak some English, it's seen as being kind and respectful to try and use their native language. |
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 actual amount of money I would have needed. I saved enough for the trips I planned, plus extra cash to spend eating and going out, but it was a lot more than what the study abroad program suggested to bring. |
Featured Program Providers
