Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Go to Berlin, not for the program August 07, 2025

By (International Politics and Economics, Middlebury College) - abroad from 03/08/2025 to 07/31/2025 with

Free University: Berlin - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Independence was the main thing.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

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:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

I personally didn't enjoy the leadership and style of the Middlebury program but Berlin is a wonderful place to be a student so I would recommend going just to be a part of the city.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? not sure, above $150
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy cooking equipment early on so that you don't have to eat out every time, this will save you a ton of money in the long run.

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? Advanced
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? 400 level Film course, DSD 2 C1 certification (highschool)
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? Make german friends

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The City
  • International Friends
* What could be improved?
  • Online courses with Middlebury instructors
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That I would be taking classes over zoom for the Middlebury segment

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.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Film der Weimarer Republik
Course Department:
Instructor: Muriel Ernestus
Instruction Language: German
Comments: The course was rather bland. It consisted strictly of lectures where the professor would try to start discussion by asking questions and no one would answer her.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Rechtsextremismus in Deutschland
Course Department: Politikwissenschaft
Instructor: Carsten Koschmieder
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Very interesting class with a lot of readings and discussion using high level german.
Credit Transfer Issues: