"Ich hab' mein Herz in Heidelberg verloren": I lost my heart in Heidelberg Past Review
By A student (Biology and German, Longwood University) - abroad from 02/24/2012 to 07/30/2012 with
Heidelberg University: Heidelberg - American Junior Year Program
I could write endlessly about what I gained/learned from my study abroad experience. It was literally the experience of a life time. I made lifelong friendships with the people in my program, roommates, and local friends that I made. I matured and gained a better insight of myself. I became more independent. I have a better cultural awareness and understanding and appreciation of the different people in the world. I was able to visit 8 different countries, speak with the local people, eat traditional foods, see the countries' unique and renown sites, and become immersed in a different culture. Everyone should study abroad.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes through AJY (American Junior Year), as well as the classes through Heidelberg University were excellent. They were very challenging and rigorous at times, yet also enjoyable and could be quite fun. I learned quite much. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The AJY administration took very good care of everyone in the program. They explained what paperwork we needed to do, gave travel and educational advice, and was there for anything that we needed. Yet, they also promoted and encouraged our independence and did not hold ours hands through through the study abroad experience. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I stayed in a 4 bed room apartment with three other German speaking girls. My apartment was spacious, and I was able to interact with lovely German speaking girls (who I became very close friends with), but also had my privacy when I wanted/needed it. |
| * Food: |
All of the food I ate was excellent. German food is amazing, the Mensa (dining hall at Heidelberg University) was affordable and delicious, and I had amazing food while traveling. I even gained better cooking skills. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
There were not many Germans in my classes, so sometimes it was hard to make German friends. I was friends with my roommates, and introduced to people through them. I also met Germans at bars and parties. I interacted with Germans everyday, but the amount of actual German friends I had was low. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had any issues, but I had friends who received medical care (for simple things such as colds or pink eye) quite efficiently. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
I traveled every weekend. My budget would have been far easier to maintain, had I not traveled so often. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 20-25 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan in advance!! When traveling, planning traveling and housing in advance will save you a lot of money. Eat vegetables, rice and potatoes, instead of a lot of fruit and meats. Cook with friends, instead of eating out. "Pre-game"/drink with friends, instead of going to bars. |
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 had to speak German in my study center, when I was out and about in the city, and at home with my roommates. |
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 340 |
| 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? | Just speak as much as you can, even if you're embarrassed. The best way to learn is to just speak. Having someone who can correct your mistakes is also helpful, as long as they correct them in a friendly and encouraging manner. |
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? |
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 expense of traveling and benefit of planning in advance. |
