Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

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By (Skidmore College) - abroad from 02/28/2016 to 07/02/2016 with

IES Abroad: Freiburg - Environmental Studies & Sustainability

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to put myself out there and get out of my comfort zone. I traveled alone, got to know the city, exposed myself to so many other cultures. It was absolutely worthwhile!

Review Photos

IES Abroad: Freiburg - Environmental Studies & Sustainability Photo

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 shared so many things with my flatmates- it took communal living to a whole new level. They were incredibly warm and inclusive.

* Food:

Germany has some of the best food, especially in its bakeries!!!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I spoke a lot of English with the other students from my program, so my language didn't improve as much as I wanted it to. Other than that, I still felt a part of the Freiburg culture.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Staff was very helpful and clear about getting a doctor or whatever you needed.

* Safety:

I never felt in danger at any point in Freiburg.

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)

Freiburg isn't a major city like Munich or Berlin, so living expenses are relatively low.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around €40-50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Budget budget budget!! Keep track of everything you buy, and be aware that you'll likely spend more money than you initially intended to. Whenever you buy something, ask yourself if you truly need it. It's easy to spend a lot of money on the small things, like pastries or coffees every day. Look for opportunities to make money, which you can do through the staff.

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

My language didn't improve as much as I wanted it to because all of my classes were in English and all of the other students on the program were native English speakers. Plus, it was hard to practice with each other because we all had such different abilities.

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
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? Use it when you can! Don't be afraid to speak to shop owners. A good way to use German was to go to the market by the Münster Cathedral and talk to the vendors about their products. Talk to your flatmates in German, scribble your notes in German, set your phone to German, find easy picture books to read in German, listen to German podcasts; there are a million things you can do.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Field trips
  • Fellow students
  • Freiburg
* What could be improved?
  • Language classes
  • Module difficulty
  • Time to travel
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? It's totally okay to make mistakes! You'll make social blunders, accidentally spend too much money on something you don't need, get lost in the center of town, and it's all okay.

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 Adventurer
The 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.