Best Decision of My College Career! Past Review
By Rachel Rudolph (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 01/12/2016 to 05/10/2016 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union: Politics, Law & Economics
It was SO worthwhile. I learned all about the EU from my time abroad and gained a whole new perspective on the world. I met so many great people that I will keep in touch with the rest of my life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were rigorous but the professors were always available and the homework load was reasonable. I found all of my classes highly interesting and took a lot away from each of them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
There are always people there to answer any questions you may have and the program excursions were all extremely well planned out. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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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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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
My time with the IES EU Program was easily the best four months of my life. Through the program I got to travel to Berlin, Prague, Brussels, Luxembourg, Brussels, Paris, Strasbourg, Grindelwald, Riga, Stockholm and London. Not only were these trips extremely well-planned, but we had the opportunity to hear from local politicians, professors, etc. that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to hear from otherwise. With these trips I felt that we got to see the city through the eyes of a local, and really understand the political culture of that particular EU member state. Aside from the travel, this IES program had so much to offer its students. The program was based out of Freiburg, which was the perfect place to call home. The location was ideal (right in the Black Forest, nestled between Switzerland and France) and had amazing food, hiking, and people. While the group of students varies semester to semester, I would say the best part of my time abroad was the people I got to spend it with. This program attracts ambitious, interesting, and well-rounded people that I am so lucky I had the pleasure of getting to know. Doing this program was the best decision I could have possibly made in my college career and would recommend it to anyone who has a passion for travel. |
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 program was travel heavy so you had to spend a decent amount on food when you weren't in Freiburg. |
| 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? | Make your own food, buy experiences not things! |
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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| How many hours per day did you use the 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? | 0 |
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? | Save as much money as you can before you go! That way you can capitalize on all the travel opportunities throughout your semester abroad. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
