Great memories that will stay with me for a lifetime! Past Review
By Grace Holzmann (The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 01/03/2019 to 05/10/2019 with
European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU
I learned a lot about myself as a person and was able to make very good friends with the people I lived with, and I'm sure I'll keep in touch with them. It was everything and more I wanted from my study abroad experience.
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. |
The classes here are less rigorous from those at TCNJ, but it seems like this is a cultural difference. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had a really great time in Heidelberg. Living in Germany was something I had only ever hoped to do. The program was excellent, and most of the staff was incredibly helpful. |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Food shopping and going out is fairly cheap, though any other expenses are going to add up quickly. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Likely 50$ per week in Heidelberg |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget sooner rather than later, and remember you will always be able to go back somewhere in Heidelberg. As for travel, you won't be back there, so decide what you'll want to bring back before you might go and set a budget for food. |
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 |
I took an intensive German course |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 102 |
| 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? | Surround yourself with it, keep up with your language learning apps, be patient with yourself |
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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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
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? | The education here is very different, and I wish I could have braced myself for it better. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
