The Best Four Months of My Life... Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Intellectually incredibly stimulating. I couldn't imagine taking a class focusing exclusively on Crimea and Russia if I were at my home university! One thing to keep in mind is that this program is definitely more of an academic challenge than other study abroad programs; I wrote two of the longest papers I've ever written while abroad. That said, instructors are generally fair, but could do a better job of describing the expectations for a particular course, exam, or assignment and coordinating with other professors so as not to cram loads of large assignments all in one week. I think the challenge is finding a balance between the American system and the German system to which most of the instructors are accustomed.

On-site administration of your program

They do a really good job. Everything was professional and very clearly communicated from the beginning. I wish that they would do a better job of notifying students of cultural opportunities and events going on in Freiburg.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Just great. I lived in Vauban Studentendorf, which is a student apartment complex south of Freiburg, and took the tram to class every day. You live with German or other international students (although everyone has their own room), and it's really on you to form good relationships with your flatmates--just as it would be in the United States. That's cool! Some of the best conversations I had were with my flatmates, discussing divisive topics like gun control, human rights, or the death penalty.

The local cuisine is great. The program doesn't include food costs, but it does include breakfasts during the field trips and a couple formal dinners. Be sure to visit Aldi and other low-cost grocery stores, but there are other options available as well, including a Whole Foods-esque natural food market called Al Natura. Food costs are generally cheaper than they are in the United States.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

People shouldn't come on this program expecting a high degree of cultural integration. Being that you take classes in English with Americans and are often away on field trips, there's not as much opportunity to engage with local Germans and learn German as you might want if that's one of your goals. However, if you seek it out, you will definitely be able to find it. Take special care to try to speak only German with the locals, and you will be rewarded.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Not bad. But there were some ridiculous situations caused by the IES Abroad staff exercising an overabundance of caution. Some students were nearly forced to stay in Freiburg during a field trip because a doctor had "expressed concern" that their colds "might be something more serious, like whooping cough," and despite the fact that no tests had been done and the students' symptoms were waning and in one case almost totally gone. Great, be cautious, IES. Just don't be ridiculous.

Freiburg is incredibly safe. Don't even worry about it.

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

I didn't think it was difficult. I had a plan from the beginning and stuck mostly to that plan. Food is cheap and I didn't do too much outside travel.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Good; could have been better. "German-only Fridays" quickly fell by the wayside...

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• Apartment

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Americans

• the people
• field trips and meetings
• Freiburg

• communication
• academics -- coordination

The Avid Adventurer