Mind-opening and life-saving. Past Review
By Enrique A Garcia (Trinity University) - abroad from 06/06/2017 to 07/21/2017 with
IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I've gained guidance and a new appreciation for life. My experience was completely worthwhile. I would want live it all over again.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
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 |
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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? |
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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
Berlin is an extraordinary city with many great things to do and people to encounter. The Metropolitan Studies and Architecture program through IES helped me narrow down what I truly am interested in for my collegiate studies. I was conflicted between Chemistry and International Studies, but itt was through this program that I finally know what I want to dedicate my life towards. |
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) |
Like any other large, cosmopolitan city, food can be expensive. But, I found groceries to be quite cheap, so I ate breakfast and dinner at home and lunch out. Over 2 weeks, I would spend an average of $175 on food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $95 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | You do not have to eat out everyday, save that for special occasions in which you want to treat yourself. Otherwise, go to grocery stores, pick up some bread, fruit, vegetables, and deli meat. They usually fare quite cheaply, so you should be able to cover yourself for awhile. Large bottles of water usually run for 50 cents or less at discount grocery stores. If you're in countries where the tap water is certified as clean to drink, then go ahead and use that. If you go out for coffee, don't always splurge for that latte. Get a bottomless cup of coffee, it's cheap, and will help if you if you're going to be in that shop long. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | I know more German now than when I first went on this program, so I wish I had learned more before and during. I wish I would have taken less weekend trips away from the city, because I limited my opportunity to explore more of the city. Well, there's more for next time, I guess. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
