Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Berlin Experience August 18, 2024

By (Jewish Studies, Political Science, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/10/2024 to 05/06/2024 with

IES Abroad: Berlin - Urban Studies & Social Sciences

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I knew going into my study abroad experience that I wanted to immerse fully in a culture- IES allowed me the flexibility to pursue cultural studies and explore realms of Berlin beyond the classroom

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.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in independent housing (an apartment I found by myself.) I really enjoyed the freedom it allowed me, and the ability to commute back and forth to campus!

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* 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? Yes

I loved my time at IES

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? about 150

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? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? none
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My fellow students
  • The flexibility of class structures
  • Campus location
* What could be improved?
  • Clarity regarding academic policies
  • Professionalism on the part of professors
  • Higher level of academic rigor
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew that professors really vary in terms of rigor/content expertise, so that I could have shopped around more during the add/drop period

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 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.