Learn About the EU Past Review
By A student (Political Science and Environmental Studies, Santa Clara University) - abroad from 09/03/2014 to 12/20/2014 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union: Politics, Law & Economics
Learned a lot about the EU, but a lot more about myself than I expected. The program was good, with some flaws. Overall enjoyable, and I would recommend it to a student strong academically.
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. |
Very rigorous, but excellent faculty |
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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: |
German food is hearty and good, but not super flavorful. You're responsible for your own meals, though |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
No one's fault but my own - I didn't speak any before and only speak a little now |
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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) |
Other than traveling, it was very easy to live on only a little money by eating in and cooking for myself |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | N/A |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Book in advance, as far as possible. Buy the option to cancel/change tickets without fees to adjust arrival/departure times to fit your schedule. |
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? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | None in German, only in other languages |
| 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? | Duolingo and, if possible, taking some German before arrival |
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? | That I should budget my money in order to maximize what I could do in the places where I traveled |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
