Spring in Germany Past Review
By Armani Nightengale (Loyola University Chicago) - abroad from 02/24/2016 to 06/24/2016 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - Language & Area Studies
I learned how to be more self-sufficient and be more outgoing. I definitely belive that it was worthwhile
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 can be a little intimidating because of the difference in teaching style but overall the classes are interesting and fun. |
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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? |
The program was good about taking care of us and providing us with what we needed to know about how to go to the doctor and get medicine when needed. |
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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) |
In Germany, I found that I went shopping a lot more often than I would at home but the food at the stores was relatively inexpensive. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Start early on saving and look for scholarships that are available. Also, when you get to the program if you can try and have meals together at home or something instead of always going out to a restaurant. Its cheaper and its a good way to better connect with people. |
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 |
Almost everything was in german, and our program really tried to push us to only speak in german. |
| 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? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | A 104 class (4th semester german) |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | If at all possible listen to news/radio/TV shows. How people are taught in school and how people speak can be very different so before you go to a country you want to be somewhat used to how the language sounds and how native speakers talk. |
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? | I wished I knew more about the classes available to take at the University so I could have looked into the possibility of staying for longer |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
