"How to NOT look like an American tourist in Germany" Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Not as many tests/quizzes, usually just a midterm paper and a final paper/project. They were harder on grading, but that's how German university is- A's aren't as important to anyone as they are to americans. Most teachers give lectures.

On-site administration of your program

Strengths: scheduling, connections with university. Weaknesses: needs to be more friendly to help students with outside issues (finding private music lessons when asked)

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I bought a few items to decorate my room and a few items my kitchen didn't have, but mainly disposable paper products. My roommates were tremendously nice, and spoke nothing but German with me. VERY safe neighborhood, right across from the tram. 10 minutes from class, had occasional parties. brand new building and i could practice in my room (soundproof)

Great food-- right next to the theater in the city there is a bakery called 'ihr backerei', and it sells the cheapest and best morsels in town. Also there is a doner kebab place right down the street from the IES center, and then the Markthalle is a food court by Bertholdsbrunnen with more expensive but seriously good quality meals. And don't forget if you go during the Fall semester to go to the Christmas Market-- get Wurst, Gluhwein and Spatzle!

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

We took field trips all over Germany and in the north of Switzerland- we went to Strasbourg, Berlin (for a week), Cologne and Bonn, Zurich, Basel, Karlsruhe, and we went hiking in Switzerland. It was beautiful and a great cultural experience, but you'll have to get used to going on trips with people you barely know... it was awkward and i learned more than anything that i appreciate my family and friends more than i ever could have imagined.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Safety was high. Really as long as you were smart about staying with friends, taking the tram home, and not advertising yourself as an american, everything works out fine. I never got sick, so i never had to deal with issues like that.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

My 5 German roommates, teachers, locals, and American friends in program. I did have to use the host language all the time, and most people did speak english.

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• Dorm
• Apartment

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• Local Students

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• Americans