It will change your life, but don't go in thinking it will Past Review
By A student (American Legal Studies, Brandeis University) - abroad from 06/07/2018 to 07/20/2018 with
IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
Having traveled abroad before, i believed that you can get everything out of a country without having to involve school. But now, I would say that being with other students around the country and the world there is a different vibe and a completely different environment that enables yourself to self-relfect and
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
I would do it all over again because I learned so much about myself. I went into studying abroad with no expectations and had no real plans on travel or what to expect. I got the most out of my experience when I did activities that were unplanned and things that I have never done before. |
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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | What ever you think you'll need, add an extra $1000 for semester and $500 for summer |
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 was kind of forced upon me. I did not really want to learn german but it was a requirement for the program. |
| 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? | 0 |
| 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? | live in a home stay with people who know both your native language and the language of the country well. It is hard to learn when there is no give and take between the two. |
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 wish I knew about the hard parts about being abroad; home sickness, when you're in a bind traveling, culture shock, what happens when you get uncomfortable with your host family, and what to do when I was not enjoying it as much as everyone said I would. |
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! |
