Very Worthwhile Experience; Possibly Life Changing Past Review
By A student (Clemson University) - abroad from 08/25/2016 to 12/17/2016 with
European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU
It was most definitely worthwhile. I learned a lot about self-autonomy and how to adapt to uncertain or even confusing environments/situations.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were decent but not particularly challenging. Although that really was preferable given the business of our schedule. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The WiFi was terrible but everything else was rather nice. |
| * 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: |
Heidelberg is perfectly safe. At no point did I feel threatened or uncomfortable. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Regardless of its minor flaws I enjoyed this location and general experience very much. I meet a lot of great people and traveled to locations I otherwise may never have gotten to go to. |
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? | €80 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save up ahead of time and don't get spend happpy too early in the semester. Avoid regularly going to restaurants. Don't order water. You have to pay too much for it. |
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 completed 4 years of Spanish in middle and high school |
| 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? | Talk to people. Talking is the best, and only way in my opinion to really grasp a langauge properly. |
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 wish I was more aware of the food situation and lack of variety compared to American grocery stores as I would have dedicated more time to planning meals in advance. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
