Amazing, friends, travel, and an unforgettable experience in Freiburg! Past Review
By Yolanda A (University of San Diego) - abroad from 01/10/2017 to 05/10/2017 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union: Politics, Law & Economics
I learned a lot from the IES Abroad EU Freiburg Program, I took courses on: Integration, Foreign Security and Policy Analysis, Enlargement, a Leadership class, and German 101. Studying abroad has broadened my knowledge of the politics of the EU, as well as it has enriched it. I got to visit the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Council . This trip is more than worthwhile and I am thankful that I was able to study abroad!
Review Photos
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. |
Overall the educational experience was great! At times it could be rigorous but it was enriching to learn about the politics of the European Union. There were many resources that were available for the students to succeed. The professors were all helpful, understanding, and accommodating. Before studying abroad I knew a lot about American Politics but not so much about European politics. After having taken many courses that focused on the start of the EU, current issues such as the migration crisis and enlargement; I have more knowledge about the politics of the EU. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The onsite administration of my program was fantastic! They were very helpful, assisted us, and answered the questions that I had. All of my classes were in one building, the IES building in Freiburg had a library, a lounge area, a computer lab, a printer that we were allowed to use we just had to provide our own printing paper. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I was very satisfied with my living arrangements in Freiburg. I lived in an apartment style/ flat. I shared a room with another IES student of the same gender, I had one international student, and four German flatmates. All of my flatmates were nice, I was able to have conversations with them in German, as well as talk about life. We had a cleaning schedule in which we each were assigned a task to do for that week, such as taking out the trash, recycling, or sweeping. We all got along very well and the place was always clean. |
| * Food: |
The food in Germany was delicious! I had wiener schnitzel, black forest cake, bread, pastries, and döner. The food was reasonably priced and it tasted good! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated into the German culture. IES did a great job at making sure through the CORE Friday's that the students knew what to do and what not to do. We knew that we had to be respectable and we felt comfortable in Freiburg. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Freiburg is a safe student town. I never went out alone or stayed out too late. When I would go out at night I would stay in a group with my friends and we always looked out for each other. There was never a time where I didn't feel safe. Never go out alone at night especially late at night. If you do, make sure you're aware of your surroundings, don't walk down dark areas, and always walk in well lit areas. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IES Abroad EU Program- Freiburg is an amazing program! I am blessed that I was able to study abroad, not only with IES that is a great organization but the EU program was enriching and beneficial. I learned a lot about the politics of the EU, IES Freiburg organized our trips that we went on with the program, they helped us figure out the transportation system in countries, provided us with a map of the country, and a booklet full of things and places to eat at that were reasonably priced and museums to visit. I am thankful for this program and I highly recommend this program for others who want to learn more about the EU. |
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) |
Freiburg is a great place for a student's budget. It's not pricey and reasonably priced. Per week I would spend less than 50-60 euros. When it was too late to cook or if I was in a hurry, I could buy a döner box for five euros and they give you a lot of food. Food for dinner at a restaurant was cheap and not too expensive. For schnitzel, mashed potatoes, and a soda it would range from 12-15 euros. You can buy a personal size pizza for five euros. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Each week I would spend about no more than 50 euros. For groceries I would only buy what I needed and that would cost around 20 euros and other meal options would add up to 20 euros. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It helps to keep track of how much you spend per week; I would keep my grocery receipts, and write down what I bought to keep track. At times it's easy to forget how much you spend and then you wonder where all of your money went. It definitely helps to keep track of how much you spend and how much money you have. |
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 encouraged us to use German when we first started the program with our language classes. We were able to use German when we went to Berlin, when we would buy groceries, order food, or ask for directions. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | Prior to departure I had not taken German. I took three years of Spanish. |
| 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? | I would suggest using the language whenever you can, practice makes perfect, listen to music in that language, hear the pronunciation of words from the music, listen to other people's conversations in that language, challenge yourself and try having a conversation with someone without having to use English to communicate. |
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? | Before going on this program I wish I knew that if you have never been abroad and away from your family it will be difficult at first and you will get homesick. But it will all be okay and to not worry about it too much. |
