The Experience will push you in the ways you need to be pushed Past Review

By (The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 08/26/2019 to 12/13/2019 with

European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained confidence in skills I hadn't developed prior to this--specially in my ability to get around easily, navigate uncomfortable or unfamiliar spaces, and problem solve travel issues.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

Cook for yourself, facilities suitable

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Interns are very accessible and quick to assist students

* Safety:

Feel much safer here than back home

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Heidelberg is very central and the German culture is interesting for American students to begin with while they travel around Europe.

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)

If you cook your own food, costs can be kept minimal. I didn't plan ahead, and travel costs add up especially if you can't or don't cook in hostels. If you stay at the study center and cook regularly, it can be very cheap

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200+
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Plan ahead and budget weekly...enjoy your time here but definitely go into with some type of plan just so you know how much you are going over that.

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? N/A
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? Practice before hand is great but the best thing to do is take advantage of speaking to other germans and put yourself in spaces to share and learn language. EX: Tandems

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The variety of classes
  • The cultural excursions
  • administrative assistance
* What could be improved?
  • Interns seem to do work of the RA
  • More information providing before arrival
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How much money it costs

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 Urbanite
A 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.