Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Everything in Germany is Easy. Except the Banks Past Review

By (Oklahoma State University - Stillwater) - abroad from 03/05/2018 to 07/18/2018 with

Hochschule Augsburg: Augsburg - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was very much worthwhile. I learned many skills such as intercultural competence and how to get un-lost. I gained many new friends and many once in a lifetime experiences

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

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?

Apartment only had two burners and a minifridge. No closets. Beds were not comfortable.

* Food:

Good, but a little more expensive than back home

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

While I did not need it, the health insurance I was required to purchase was easy to aqquire, and I had no problems only getting a few months of it

* Safety:

Augsburg is very safe, especially for a city of its size

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

I thoroughly enjoyed my program and would love to go back. I would plan a little differently however.

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)

Housing and groceries were a little pricey, but I was able to make do. Unless, your bank doesnt apply foreign transaction fees, I would recommend getting a german bank account as soon as possible. I spent way too much on atm and foreign transaction fees.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? All together including rent and everything came to around $300 a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Housing and groceries were a little pricey, but I was able to make do. Unless, your bank doesnt apply foreign transaction fees, I would recommend getting a german bank account as soon as possible. I spent way too much on atm and foreign transaction fees.

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? Beginner
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? A2/B1
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? Try the easy stuff first, and try to learn, "im sorry, slowly please" in the language, because in germay if you panic and say 'sorry' they will immediately switch to english, which makes it difficult to practice your german

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people
  • The events and parties
  • The ability to travel
* What could be improved?
  • The price
  • The communication (especially regarding class availabilty)
  • The "dorm"
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How expensive foreign transaction fees were going to be/ how early you should set up a bank account. Also, take however much money you think you are going to need and add two or three grand to that, as you are going to want to travel, and your budget is going to be the main limiting factor.

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.