Past Review
By Taylor (Political Science and Government., Rice University) for
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union: Politics, Law & Economics
I definitely has a "once in a lifetime" experience. I think everyone should live abroad at sometime in their life. It had it's ups and downs, but I would do it all over again if given the opportunity.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Universitaat Freiburg |
| The term and year this program took place: | Spring 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It's common to think that abroad programs are kind of a joke, but the EU program was actually challenging. Don't go in thinking it will be a blow-off semester. |
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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 lived in an apartment with two other Americans and three Germans. <br /><br /> |
| * Food: |
I LOVED the food in Germany! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made several good friends in my program with whom I am still in contact with, but there were plenty of people that I did not get along with. Rice is a small bubble, and once you leave that bubble, you are not always around people who are as open minded or well rounded as you are used to. |
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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? |
No
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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? | It was pretty expensive considering the state of the global economy at the time of my program. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | School books were unexpectedly expensive. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I did not speak any German going into the program, and while I did learn a significant amount, most Germans will speak to you in English despite trying to speak to them in German. It could have been my terrible German accent. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Keep an open mind. Try not to become too annoyed with the people you spend every minute of for four months. |
