An Outdoor Classroom Past Review
By A student (Environmental Science, University of Rochester) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/18/2015 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - Environmental Studies & Sustainability
I gained conversational German skills, life-long friends, and a deeper understanding of the challenges of international relations. I better appreciate the struggle of learning a new language and working with others to better our world. It was most definitely work it!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Awesome, interesting and thought-provoking courses. Well taught, with a fair amount of outside work required. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The best staff ever! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was one of two students placed in international student housing, so instead of sharing a flat with Germans I shared a hall with people from all over the world. |
| * Food: |
Oh my bakeries |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Integration required a little extra effort to meet and get to know locals |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Easy access and efficient! |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The classes, program, people, and location were all ideal for me. Hiking was incorporated into hands-on class experiences, and the outdoorsy folk in the program were the perfect companions to hang out with! |
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) |
Food was cheap here, and I didn't travel every weekend. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Instead of eating out, make food with kids in your program! Shop local and cook/eat together |
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 |
Main classes were in English, but we all had a German language course several times a week |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had completed introductory German |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Don't be afraid to make mistakes or sound terrible! People typically know what you're trying to say even when you say it wrong. Also, speak German even when they speak English to you; that way everyone gets practice! |
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? | You should come ready to push yourself to meet locals, as classes are mostly with the other Americans in your program. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
