Berlin: A rather shaken and misunderstood city that I have come closer to understanding Past Review
By Sarah G (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Trinity University) for
IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
Helped me decide on my major concentration, Modern and Contemporary Art Made me realize some of my desires and changed how I view everyday situations, history (especially German and European), political events and people, art, Religions (especially Jewishness in Germany)
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. |
Very fulfilling Art History and German Jewish History courses, Not fulfilling German Language course Incredible Professors! |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very independent program, not a lot of hand-holding, which was good. Academics seemed to be not a priority. Incredible Health-care and concern, incredible host-family experience Field trip was handled very well. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Very safe neighborhood, far from school but manageable |
| * Food: |
Only one cheap option mentioned to us, otherwise groceries and restaurants were very expensive |
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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? |
No
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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) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Euro conversion is a bit of a shock and easily forgotten, meals add up |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Didn't have enough to realistically practice... Could practice with locals, host-family Did need the language in every-day situations Everyone in the program spoke English (students and faculty) |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Independent Studies at Local Universities seems to be the most fruitful experience. With IES (a specific program) I don't feel I was able to fully immerse myself into German culture, especially student culture, and I was limited academically. |
