Life-Changing Trip Past Review
By A student (History, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 06/02/2015 to 07/18/2015 with
IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
My experience abroad changed the course of my life entirely, no exaggeration. I feel like I have found more of a purpose in my life because of this trip and Berlin is an incredibly adequate place to do so.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I had an excellent experience with one class, and a bad experience with another. There were not many options, but some professors were beyond exceptional. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
For the most part, I believe there wasn't enough time. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Safest big city I've ever been in. |
| 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) |
Considering Berlin is incredibly cheap in comparison to basically any other world city, I'd say I did pretty well. The major expenses had to do with being a tourist. Otherwise it was excellent. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 80-100 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Avoid commercial areas. Get to know residential areas and avoid chain stores. |
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 |
Berlin is a tough city to learn German because almost everyone speaks English. With my host parents however I was able to practice a lot. My German class was also excellent because we were only allowed to speak German. |
| 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? | Three Semesters-College German |
| 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? | Berlin is an incredible city in itself. However, if your main focus is to learn the language, find a specific neighborhood to live in to practice German, or choose another German city. |
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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| 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? |
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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? | How to navigate and explore Turkish/German neighborhoods and culture. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
