Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

There is no place in Europe that I would rather be than Berlin Past Review

By (Government, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/04/2013 to 07/20/2013 with

IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
How to survive in a foreign culture and navigate in a foreign city and how to be independent. I thought it was entirely worth while.

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?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe at all times and in all parts of Berlin

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

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? Roughly 50 - 75 euros per week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy groceries and eat at home when possible and when you do eat out, don't eat in the popular parts of the city. If you go to more local and more obscure places in the city then food will be a lot cheaper there

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 506 - Elementary German I
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The people in and working the program
  • The freedom we had
* What could be improved?
  • Maybe some more tips on what to expect in the beginning
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That not everyone in Berlin speaks English so don't assume that you will be able to communicate with all Germans in the beginning

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.