Studying abroad to travel through Europe Past Review
By Anna Gagliardino (University of Dayton) - abroad from 08/21/2018 to 12/14/2018 with
European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU
This experience was absolutely worthwhile. I highly encourage everyone to study abroad. I have learned so much about European cultures as well as things about myself. I have become more independent as well as adaptive. I can think more critically in difficult situations and I can communicate across cultures.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was very poor with little organization. We did not receive a class schedule until the day before class started and nearly every student had a problem with overlapping courses even though our desired courses were submitted to the program months before arriving. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Housing was adequate in that we had the necessary objects to live some what comfortably. The kitchen lacked equipment but the bathrooms were nice. |
| * Food: |
Food from other cultures was absolutely amazing as well the experiences that accompanied them. There was no food provided for us by the program. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt somewhat integrated only through my own methods. Other than a few excursions, the program did not do much, if anything, to help integrate us into the local culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Heidelberg is extremely safe. The only section of town that can be a little intimidating is the main square at night but if you are with other people, you feel completely safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
The only thing attractive about this program is that they make sure Fridays are free for travel and that it is in a central location in Europe. Other than that, there is nothing else about this program that I am going to miss. Other programs from the University of Dayton and even other third party programs offered a better cultural experience and a larger selection of classes at a lower price. The main coordinator is difficult to work with and is never organized. His staff is always frustrated with him and are always stressed because they never know what he has accomplished and what they need to accomplish. The only thing I will miss about this program is the friends I have made and getting to travel around Europe. |
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) |
The cost of food and drinks in Germany, specifically Heidelberg, is rather cheap. I had the set my own budget and tried to spend around $200 a week in total, which was a realistic budget for me. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The biggest tip I have is to make a realistic budget and try to stick to it. Making your own food is a life saver as well as the flixbus. Cheap transportation really helps. |
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 |
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| 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? | None |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
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? | I wish I knew more about the shortcomings of the program so I could be more prepared. |
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.' |
