An amazing experience abroad in Heidelberg! Past Review
By A student (The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 08/25/2016 to 12/17/2016 with
European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU
I learned about all different types of cultures and people from Europe. I began more open minded and aware of the world around me. I can use the people skills and knowledge in all of my life ahead of me.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There is a great variety of classes to take at the European Study Center, as well as professors teaching from all over the world. The ESC has a partnership with a local university, allowing students to have a great opportunity to take classes with more international students, as well as classes in all subjects. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Adminstration at the ESC is provided by people who have also studied abroad in all different countries in the past, so they have vast knowledge of what student needs are when studying in a new place. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
At the ESC, students are lucky to live in dormitory style housing, allowing for all of the students to interact on a daily basis. The villa is in a safe, residential area, only 5 minutes from the center of town. There are lots of spaces for students to study and meet, including a library, TV/game area and open classroom space. |
| * Food: |
The ESC has communal kitchens for students to use and cook together inside the villa. There are also many, cheap food options in the Heidelberg area very close to home. The ESC does not provide a meal plan. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
ESC gathers students from all over the US to live and take classes together. Taking classes at the loval SRH university is another outlet for ESC students to meet international students. I feel very comfortable meeting and integrating with the German culture in Heidelberg. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Healthcare is amazing at the ESC! We have an international insurance program included in tuition. Our program directors and managers are always available to take the students to doctor's appointments and the pharmacy to translate. Our program manager has helped me extensively with insurance bills and payments, and has been amazing at helping me through injury at the ESC. |
| * Safety: |
Heidelberg, Germany is a very safe city. Our villa is in a residential area and there are multiple safety features on the home, including house access and a separate security access to each floor. I have always felt very safe in Heidelberg, whether that be walking home late at night or in our own home. |
| 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) |
Living on a budget is easy in Heidelberg, as groceries and varous expenses are underpriced compared to the American market. Heidelberg, Germany is also a very central location in Europe, allowing for low cost transportation for weekend trips. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You can easily save the most money by cooking for yourself and packing food and snacks in advance from the grocery store. Food can be a very big expense if you eat out every day. |
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 |
There is a language school located in our building, so students can take German classes, as well as other languages, right in our building. |
| 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 |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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 knew not to wait until my senior year to study abroad so I could do it again! |
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 UrbaniteA 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. |
