Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Good experience Past Review

By (Neurobiology, Neurosciences, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/07/2016 to 07/23/2016 with

IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learnt a lot. Germany was not as easy to fit in. I learnt how to deal with people's attitude to minority. As an Asian I feel that when people encounter me they do not treat me as a unique individual but a general Asian.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The class was ok, I don't think I have learnt much and they did not involve us with the foreign environment which I think is a main advantage to take while studying abroad. The professor was a bit hard to communicate with.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration was helpful, all the stuffs are very nice and friendly.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The host was very nice, but she could not speak any English. My German was not so great and I did not request a non English speaker, so this made it a bit hard for me at first. Also the place was far away from the city center. I was hoping to explore the foreign city while it was just to hard to get anywhere.

* Food:

Food overall was good and cheap.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Overall I like Berlin very much, there are a lot to explore and many fun events. However, as an Asian, I feel a bit hard there.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

The city and the students there were great, but the classes do not worth that money. I would rather spend that same money on just traveling. Also one of my class's instructor was hard to communicate to, we have told her that we think that how she talks is a bit racist however, she did not take us seriously, and I feel that the way she gives out grades was not as fair. The overall experience was exciting, but this class was disappointing.

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? 300

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? German 103
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Hotel
* 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?
  • studnets
  • the city
* What could be improved?
  • classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish to know German culture better, because it was not the easiest foreign country to live in.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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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.