The Best Decision I've Made So Far Past Review
By Mia D (International Affairs, George Washington University) - abroad from 01/06/2015 to 05/05/2015 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union: Politics, Law & Economics
Studying abroad on this program was absolutely worthwhile. For me, this program had everything I was looking for- a program focused solely on European matters, a way to practice my German language, and a chance to cross off many places on my travel bucket list- and I was lucky to meet some of my new best friends in the process. Although it is subject specific and may deter from "traditional" study abroad experiences, you only need an interest in travel and trying new things to enjoy this program. In conversations with other students from my home university who studied abroad, I seem to have had the most enriching experience. No other program provides you with hands-on learning, a hybrid of classroom and real world experience, and extensive travel quite like the European Union program with IES. In addition to academic components, I learned more about myself than I could have hoped. Some takeaways I had from my abroad experience include learning to go with the flow and to not have expectations of how things will/are supposed to/how you want them to go; to thank your parents every day; to be your best self in every situation but leave room for becoming a better self. I solidified my career goals and realized true passions because of what I studied on this program, and I am so glad I chose this program.
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. |
All the classes offered are subject specific to Europe and the European Union institutions. An EU Seminar and German language course are mandatory, and my other classes included the history of European integration; migration and multiculturalism in Europe; and regions of Europe. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The IES center was very helpful and accommodating, especially for the field study programs. They found and organized everything for us so we did not have to worry about any logistical programming- from travel to and from city to city, transportation passes while there, accommodation, city tours, and meetings and events. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in Vauban, one of the student dorms in Freiburg. It was located about a 10 minute tram ride from the city center. Despite being one of the farther dorms, I liked living in a different, more residential area of Freiburg because I got to explore new parts of the city. I lived with other German students at the University of Freiburg and international students, and roomed with another girl on the IES program. It was a great opportunity to see what student life is like in Freiburg, and a chance to practice my German language skills with my flatmates. |
| * Food: |
I have no complaints about German food. Everything from the stereotypical bratwursts, sauerkraut and Wiener Schnitzel to the underrated spätzle, maultaschen, flammkuchen, and schweinehaxe is delicious. To make it better, Freiburg is the "greenest" city in Germany so all of the food and ingredients are natural and organic, so the meals feel healthier compared to an American meal. Freiburg has plenty of cafes, restaurants, and beergardens that offer traditional German food, but also has different cuisines. Thanks to the field study trips, your food is not confined to German food- and traveling all across Europe allows you to try most European cuisines. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The program was not as culturally integrated as I had expected, mostly because of our frequent field study trips and travel plans. All classes were in English (apart from the mandatory German language course and a few courses taught in German) and at the center, so you were always surrounded by American culture at the center. However, there were plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in German culture on your own, from interacting with German flatmates, meeting other German students (and international students in my flat), and practicing your German language skills at any chance you get. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Fortunately, I did not have any serious illnesses that required me to visit a doctor or seek the program's help. The only experience I had was towards the end of the program, I contracted pink eye, and went to a local apothecary for some medicine that was affordable and cleared the infection quickly. |
| * Safety: |
Freiburg was very safe, and I never felt threatened traveling alone. Since it is a very student friendly and young town, there were few safety incidences. The public transportation system in Freiburg includes buses and trams, both of which were very efficient, clean, and absolutely safe. |
| 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) |
While in Freiburg, it was very easy to live on a student budget, because food and drinks are very cheap and at student-friendly prices. However, I am giving a low rating because it was hard to live on the same student budget while traveling on the many field study programs. Freiburg prices are unrealistically low compared to prices in Berlin, Stockholm, London, Paris- and the many other large European cities we visited. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Save your money while you are in Freiburg, to leave more money to budget on the field study programs. Also, my IES roommate and I cooked many of our meals at home, which saved us a lot of money by not buying dinner every night. We often did group dinners with other students on the program too, which saved money and made for memorable experiences. |
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 |
The program had a mandatory German language course that you were placed into based on your placement test. You were encouraged to use as much of your German as you could in Freiburg, and we covered practical topics such as housing, shopping, healthcare, and school so that we could use vocabulary outside the classroom. We were encouraged to speak German to our flatmates and get to know them. Since the program is mostly in English, a lot of time is spent traveling to non-German speaking countries, and all the students are American, it is easy to fall into a trap of not speaking German frequently, but I tried to use it at every chance I got with the help of the program. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I completed my language proficiency at my home university (GW requires three years of language) prior to the program. |
| 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? | Talk to your flatmates! They are willing to help you with your German if you ask, and by speaking with students, you learn colloquial terms and structure in addition to the formal German we learn in the classroom. Although most Germans will respond to you in English if you make a mistake in German or they suspect you are American, persist in speaking to them in German to practice your language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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? | Freiburg has a wide-ranging climate. When we arrived in January, it was cold and snowing; by the time we left in May it was sunny and hot. Be sure to pack some summer clothes along with your heavy winter jacket! |
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! |
