Studying German in Heidelberg was one of the best experiences I've had in my life. Past Review
By Fanchon O (Athletic Training, South Dakota State University) for
Heidelberg University: Heidelberg - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I feel like I have a better understanding of how it feels to be a foreigner. I not only gained more knowledge of the language and the culture, but the kindness and friendly-ness I experienced on this trip was so great! It's an awful feeling to not be completely fluent in the language being spoken. When there are people there that are understanding or just plain nice enough to be patient and help you out, it makes a world of difference.
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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. |
The teachers were very helpful and willing to slow down and explain more if we didn't understand. The grading wasn't bad, compared to what a normal German grading scale I think they were easy on us. We would have 3 hours total of grammar classes (all auf deutsch) and then there were optional culture classes to choose from. Those would be scheduled once a week. It was a little overwhelming at first to be completely submerged into the German language, but you get used to it and learn it alot faster that way. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our home school sent one of our German Professors with us and it was nice to have someone familar there in case we needed him. But the people who are in charge of the program are incredibly helpful and are willing to help anyone needing something. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The Heidelberg people put through all the host family applicants through a lot of checking, etc to make sure they are a good, safe family for foreign students to stay with. There were five others from my school staying in the same neighborhood so we were able to walk to the tram stop every morning together to go to school. The neighborhood was also very nice, friendly and safe. My host family was very welcoming and nice. They had lived in the U.S. for two years so they were used to American ways too, so they were understanding of differences. I also had a host brother who was 4 yrs old. He was shy and woke up very early most of the time, but there were no problems. My host family was also nice enough to take me and some friends on a day trip to France and shopping in neighboring towns when we had time off from class. |
| * Food: |
I was always provided with plenty of food from my host family and it was all very good. I wasn't a huge fan of all the asparagus we ate, but there were always another option. It was usually pretty easy to find food in town on our own too. Lots of bread to eat. And if you go to Germany, do yourself a favor and try a Heffe Weizen Bier!! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We had two program excursions. One to the Black Forest and the other to Strassburg, France. They were optional but most people went because we technically paid for the trip already with the school tuition. We also went to Berlin for a 3 day weekend for part of a class but all in the program were able to go. While I was there, there were quite a few holidays so some of us took advantage of a 4 day weekend and took a trip to Munich. We were able to travel where ever and got a German Rail Pass and bus/train tickets with the cost of the program. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
There was an E-coli outbreak in their vegetables while we were in Germany, but they warned us not to eat any vegetables. It was too big of an issue because it was mainly in Northern Germany and we were living in the South West part of the country. Everything was clean and I would say that I felt the same amount of safety as I would walking around in a bigger city in the US. |
| 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
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | This program would probably benefit anyone majoring in any language or global studies, but I'm a health science major and I have always had an interest in German and took advantage of the opportunity and I think I benefitted from it just as much as anyone else. My future career may not have anything to do with the German language but the sense of independence I have coming out of it and all the great people I was able to meet trumps any doubts I ever had about participating in this program. I made alot of good friends from all across the US on this trip too. |
