Amazing Experience in an Amazing City Past Review
By Owen N (History, Political Science, International Studies, Luther College) - abroad from 09/03/2015 to 12/20/2015 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union: Politics, Law & Economics
Better German language skills, new friends both German and American, become more adaptive, travel skills, overall knowledge about the world. Absolutely. Studying abroad is always worth while.
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. |
Academics were occasionally difficult, but very educational. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Staff was extremely helpful and friendly. Would always go out of their way in assisting you. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Lived with multiple German flatmates which quickly accepted me and became close friends of mine. |
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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: |
Freiburg is very safe. Never had an incident. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I believe I spend more than the average student so about $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you're low on cash there are a variety of shopping options in Freiburg that you can get groceries at on a budget. |
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 |
All students will take a German class according to their ability. If you spend time with American students you will use more English, if you spend more time with Germans they often speak English fluently however they're usually willing to assist your German skills. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had one year of German class |
| 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? | Try to speak German with your German flatmates. |
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? | It would have been nice to understand German better before the program simply because it would have been a easier start to the program. Most Germans know English so this isn't a necessity. |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
