Can't Wait to Go Back Past Review
By A student (Temple University) - abroad from 08/29/2018 to 12/14/2018 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - Environmental Studies & Sustainability
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I had amazing experiences with students from many different countries. Freiburg was also a city that is both easy to navigate but full of different opportunities and things to do. My family comes from Germany, but this experience made it feel more like home than it ever had before.
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. |
Courses varied in intensity and resources. Some I found great, others I found problematic. However it entirely depends on the student. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
Yes
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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) |
It can be easy to go over budget, but it's entirely possible to live cheaply. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Clothes are more expensive in Germany than the U.S. Limit the amount of times you go out. Cook together instead of going out, it's cheaper and gives you more bonding time. |
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 |
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| 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 |
| 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? | Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Practice by ordering food, and asking for directions (even if you may not really need them). |
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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| 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? | There are no long breaks that you typically hear of in study abroad programs, so know going in that out-of-country travel may be limited in time or distance. However exploring Freiburg is without a doubt just as exciting, but be prepared to do that. |
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