Great for people that want to study somewhere other than the U.S. Past Review
By A student (University of the Incarnate Word) - abroad from 01/05/2017 to 05/12/2017 with
European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU
I got to travel and yes it was worthwhile
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were fairly easy, some professors were unavailable most of the time that they were here. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Beds were little above average, it was a mattress and a pillow, but I am not particularly picky about this. The house was amazing and it was in a secure area of Heidelberg. |
| * Food: |
We had to buy groceries. The ESC did not provide food. Grocery stores were cheap and high quality food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program feels like an American bubble within Heidelberg. Although for people attending the SRH, it was a bit easier to interact with other Germans because for it being a German institution. Nightlife is also a good way to integrate, but somewhat discouraged. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
did not use |
| * Safety: |
Heidelberg is a great city that is very international city that is welcoming to all people. The area of Heidelberg where the institution was very safe to walk around at night. There was only one incident of panic that happened the whole time. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
Very few opportunities to integrate because of other Americans studying there. |
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) |
Groceries were cheap, but travel and transportation costs were somewhat expensive within Germany. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | €50 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not buy snacks or comfort foods. Eating out is fun, but sometimes can be expensive. |
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 |
Since most classes were in English and language classes were rigorous and time-consuming, which discouraged students. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | German III Pre-AP |
| 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? | Please learn a few basic phrases and try to interact with other Germans in order not to seem stuck up. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | More German traditions, culture, language, and customs. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
