All of Europe at your Fingertips Past Review
By Emily T (Political Science and Government, Villanova University) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/18/2015 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union: Politics, Law & Economics
A cultural understanding of differences across cultures, amazing experiences with friends old and new across the continent, and political connections that have already positively impacted my career options and decisions.
Review Photos
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. |
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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
The exposure to the entirety of the European Union, inside the classroom and out, helped me further my understanding of the supranational political system and see a lot more of the world. |
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) |
The town of Freiburg itself offered fantastic affordable food and nightlife but some of my flights for personal travel and the other cities we visited boosted expenses. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan trips ahead of time to avoid rising airfare and lodging costs |
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? | No German exposure beforehand |
| 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? | Let your flatmates help you. It is so easy to speak english since everyone around you will know it and speak it well, but encourage the German students you live with to give you a little bit of a challenge every now and then |
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? | There is no need for packing to be as stressful as I made it! Everyone is going to be rewearing the same things when you spend three+ months somewhere with only a suitcase or two. |
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. |
