Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best semester of my life! Past Review

By (Business/Corporate Communications., College of Charleston) - abroad from 02/22/2013 to 06/20/2013 with

IES Abroad: Freiburg - Environmental Studies & Sustainability

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I developed a deeper love of German culture, greatly improved my language skills, became more independent and met the most amazing friends who are still in my life a year later! This was the best decision that I could have made!

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.

Challenging but enjoyable! I loved my professors and really feel that my German improved!

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They were amazing! Helped me constantly, including when I was home and needed their help. They are the best ever! Especially Joanna!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Loved living with Germans! The only downside is that I wish all IES students lived in the same building, but it was clean, great and I had my own room!

* Food:

I never ate at the Uni caf but from what I heard it was great! Everywhere in Freiburg is so cheap compared to the rest of Europe! And eat as many Döner Kebabs as you can there!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Living with Germans and having a tandem partner helped. But I would say all my friends are American. You have some opportunity to make friends with locals but its mostly on you to do that. However, I felt completely intergrated with the local culture!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had to see a doctor and physical therapist when I was there and IES was amazing with setting that up! And it was relatively cheap as well!

* Safety:

Traveled all around Europe and Freiburg was the safest place! I NEVER felt unsafe!

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

Even with travel costs, I think I spent around the same or less than I do in the US.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 euro

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

All the classes and coursework were in German

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? 300 level german class
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? Make friends with locals and try and speak German with the americans (But that is hard to do)

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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?
  • Location
  • People
  • Administration
* What could be improved?
  • more fieldtrips
  • more interaction with local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That you should 100% take a local university class and stay till July! I did not do that and it is my biggest regret! I was not homesick or ready to leave by June!

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.