Ich Liebe Freiburg Past Review
By Maddison Murnane (Ithaca College) - abroad from 01/13/2016 to 05/13/2016 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union: Politics, Law & Economics
I learned how to be a more easy going and understanding person. Additionally, I learned that no matter what happens, it will all be okay in the end.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
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
As a second semester sophomore in college, I never expected to study abroad but I can gratefully say that I had the time of my life. I was facing some difficulties both internally and externally at school at the time and knew that I needed some drastic change and that I was the only one who could act upon that. So in October, one week before the deadline of the program, I blindly applied for the IES European Union Program in Freiburg, Germany. I know that this program was perfect for me now because I was happy and felt grateful to be there every single day of my abroad experience. Throughout my travel to get to my study destination I never felt scared and immediately found a person in my program when I got to Freiburg. I now consider him one of my best friends. The way that the program was set up is that we lived in student housing communities alongside German as well as international, students. However, we attended classes only with students that were in the same study abroad program as us. For me, this set up could not have been better. It allowed me to become integrated into German culture by learning from my roommates. It also allowed me to make lifelong friends from all across the United States. Friends that became so close that a mere three weeks after returning home, we had a reunion and many more have unfolded since. But that’s not all. The program sponsored field trips across Europe to allow us to travel as well as learn from politicians, environmentalists, professors, activists, journalists and many other people about the “world” they live in. I am so grateful that I was not only able to visit ten countries in Europe during my abroad excursion, but that I was able to learn about the people and what lies beneath the tourist traps in a country. Concerning academics, the classes were rigorous and attendance was mandatory, but remember that you’re there to study abroad, not just to travel. For me, the workload was more than manageable and most of my classmates enjoyed their learning experience. Looking back on my study abroad experience now I honestly wouldn’t change a single thing, except for the fact that I had to return home. |
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? | $75 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy groceries at the grocery store and bring your lunch to school with you every day. I found it to be a huge money saver. Also, plan pot luck dinners with your friends. That way, it's the same social scene as going out to dinner, but you all save money and only have to purchase one dish. |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had never taken a German course previous to going abroad |
| 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? | Use the language when you are ordering food or buying things in stores/the market. The local Germans love seeing you attempt their 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? | Nothing. I enjoyed going into this program almost blindly. |
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! |
