Enriching Past Review
By hilaryec (Classical Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 02/28/2012 to 07/13/2012 with
IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I learned how to be independent and advocate for myself, and I experienced Germany's diversity, both in terms of landscapes and people. My experience was absolutely worthwhile and greatly enriching.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Humboldt University |
| 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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
IES Berlin's administration was very helpful, open, accessible, and dedicated to the students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My host family was terrible: namely, my host father was very unsympathetic and arguably abusive, as he often yelled at me and accused me of having autism simply because I was shy. |
| * Food: |
My host parents were not very good cooks, but I found the food in Berlin, both in restaurants and in grocery stores, to be reasonably priced and tasty. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The homestay program often helped students integrate with the culture, and I was able to join clubs at Humboldt University. I would have liked it, however, if IES Berlin were to promote integration with local universities (clubs, etc.) more. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * 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) |
Berlin is quite an affordable city (by European standards, at least). |
| * 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? | $60 |
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 |
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| 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 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
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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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? | I would have liked to have learned certain little facts about life in Berlin, such as how to deal with overzealous bicyclists. |
