Berlin Was Lit Past Review
By Andy C (Political Science and Government, Trinity University) - abroad from 05/15/2016 to 05/30/2016 with
IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I learned more about German culture and about Muslim relations in Germany. On top of that I feel like I really developed a more open mindset in terms of learning things for the first time.
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 felt like I really learned a lot and was exposed to differing opinions that I would not have even considered without going abroad. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
IES staff was very warm and welcoming throughout the entire trip. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Hotel room was very small and packed (with four of us in the same room), but definitely manageable for two weeks. |
| * Food: |
The exposure to so many different options was fantastic. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Overall the Germans were very welcoming of us as Americans and did not make things uncomfortable at all. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
No health issues arose for me. |
| * Safety: |
Even walking through new neighborhoods at night, I still felt completely safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had an absolutely amazing time. The entire program, from IES to the events that we did on our own, was first class and a fantastic experience. Even for people with no background in German or political science, it is still an experience worth considering. |
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) |
Traveling in a foreign country definitely made it harder to save money, but overall I felt like it was pretty easy to get what I needed and not spend large sums of money. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Approximately 200 euros per week. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make sure to budget your money before leaving. |
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 |
It definitely helped in certain situations, but knowing German was not at all a requirement. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | None |
| 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? | Just having a basic understanding will suffice. |
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? | More German |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
