Become a Euro Expert in one semester Past Review
By Sabrina H. (Bowdoin College) - abroad from 08/26/2018 to 12/17/2018 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union: Politics, Law & Economics
I gained valuable exposure to European politics and culture. I was able to visit 12 countries while learning about the ins and outs of the European Union.
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? |
I was 100% satisfied with my living arrangements. It would have been nice to be closer so I could walk to school but the tram was a quick 9 minute ride for me. |
| * Food: |
I liked the food offered at the student cafeteria (Mensa) but I didn't go often just because it was easier to cook for myself. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
This is one of the only areas where I think the program faltered. We spent so much time outside of Germany that, unless you take a German class or have an organic interest in German culture outside of the program, you could leave the country without a true feel of the local culture. To combat this, I think the program did a good job of keeping us informed about local news and events but should have taken on a more hands on role to help students get involved. |
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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
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget in advance, especially if a weekend out or a trip is coming up! |
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? | Beginners German |
| 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? | Practice if you live with roommates and if you don't there are a couple ways you can interact with local Freiburg students. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | I wish that someone told me that it was more academically challenging than I originally thought it would be. I wasn't overwhelmed but the program was definitely more rigorous. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
