Study Abroad in Cologne, Germany Past Review
By Robert B (General Business, Hamline University) for
Hamline University: Cologne - Cologne Business School
I think it really has broadened my prospective when it comes to the countries I visited, not only germany, but italy, the czech republic, austria, egypt.
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. |
I feel that the work load was adequate. The program director was very nice and useful especially when it came to describing the history of the area we were staying in. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I believe the person who oversaw our program, hartwig, was one of the most friendly, helpful, and interesting people I have met while abroad. He was always there to help out and provided us with a cultural learning experience that we would not have gained otherwise. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very pleased with living with a host family. I feel they gave me insight into the culture that I would not be able to obtain otherwise. |
| * Food: |
I thought that the food was very good and of high quality atleast when it came to my host family. Otherwise there was not many places to eat except fast food places and turkish restuarants (which were very good but unhealthy) |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I feel a bit left out from the social experience due to the fact that there was not as many programs that helped mix the schools local students with international students beyond drinking events. This may be fine for many people but for someone such as myself who doesn't drink, it left me feeling somewhat isolated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I believe that it was a very safe city. I heard people including family members warn me about being pickpockted which thankfully never happend. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I did not care for the teaching style of the language courses. I feel like a more english heavy instruction of the forign language would have helped atleast me more. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Make sure to pack light. I can say one of my worst experiences was when I first arrived in Cologne. I was tired, hungry and ended up getting lost. Carrying that heavy luggage with me everywhere was horrible. I also recommend depositing your luggage at the main train station, this is something that I wish I was made aware of beforehand for my convenience. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Doing Business in the European Union |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | |
| Instruction Language: | |
| Comments: | I found it very relaxed and inviting. I liked the casual tone of the class but at the same time the intense discussions we got into when it came to the different strategies companies form when doing business in general and abroad. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: |
