Heidelberg: 7 Long Months - Baden Württemberg Exchange Past Review
By Devin M (English, University of Connecticut) for
Heidelberg University: Heidelberg - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned that going abroad isn't for everybody.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | University of Stuttgart, University of Heidelberg |
| 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. |
Grading system is difficult, harder than in the states. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
They were never around. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My dorm in Heidelberg was absolutely awful. I lived in a construction site for months. |
| * Food: |
Supermarkets take getting used to, expect a lot of meat. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The trips out of Stuttgart were cool. Once I got to Heidelberg, I didn't see any sort of outings. At least the surrounding area was nice. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I made it back. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
Everyone spoke English mostly. It's a tourist town. |
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 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? | If you have a problem with shyness, don't go. |
