Wonderful, but has some kinks. Past Review
By Taylor F (International Relations And Global Studies, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 05/27/2013 to 07/06/2013 with
European University Viadrina: Frankfurt - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
Definitely worthwhile, but it requires a certain type of student and personality. You really have to be on op of your work and balance your time while abroad. There was so much freedom with the program, so that could possibly be problematic with some people.
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. |
This program was incredibly self-motivated. All of the work really begins once the program ends and then you have to work HARD to get the grades you want. The grades for both courses were based on the two papers at the end of the program. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
|
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It would be much, much better if you lived in Berlin and commuted in, but again, it takes a lot of individual effort to make that happen, but I would recommend it. |
| * 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: |
Frankfurt Oder is rather small. We were out in the suburbs of the town and there is only a very small (and somewhat inconvenient [while we were there]) train that runs through the town. However, the times are weird, so if you get stuck out late, you might have to walk for awhile or catch a cab. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
|
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) |
It depends on what you do outside of class. Obviously if you use your time to travel, things will cost more. If you cook for yourself and stay in Frankfurt, it could be manageable, but...don't do that. Spend a little more and go to Berlin and travel around Europe on the off-days. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Totally depended on what I was doing. Ranged from $150-300 |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | Not to live in Frankfurt Oder, but Berlin. |
