Germany and Friends Past Review
By Frances J (Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Ithaca College) - abroad from 01/07/2015 to 05/04/2015 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union: Politics, Law & Economics
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot about myself while I was abroad. I'm very much a planner and discovered that it was okay to do things spontaneously, like go to another country for a day trip during the weekend or not worry about staying up too late. My biggest takeaway from my experience abroad was knowing that I could move anywhere in the U.S. or the world and still be able to adapt to any environment or situation with very few problems. It was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life so far and I encourage everyone to go abroad at least once!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 40 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Go grocery shopping and cook for yourself. Eat lunch at the Mensa because it's pretty cheap and have breakfast and dinner at home. |
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? | Conversational Spanish I 32400 |
| 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? | Take at least a semester of the language you'll be surrounded by. And use it as much as you can. Don't lose confidence. |
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? | I really wish I had known some German before I arrived in Freiburg. Almost everyone speaks English there, but people appreciate it when you make an effort to speak their language as a guest in their country. |
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