Life changing, once in a life time experience Past Review
By A student (University of Portland) - abroad from 08/31/2016 to 12/17/2016 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - Language & Area Studies
It was totally worthwhile! I gained cultural immersion in not only my host country but neighboring counties as well.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Very fun and exciting, overall great experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very welcoming and supportive. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had a great room and great roommates but would have liked to get to know them better. |
| * Food: |
LOVED the food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Felt very comfortable and included |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Great, I was able to get antibiotics for a medical issue. |
| * Safety: |
Felt generally safe at all times |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I had so much fun and was generally in a happy state the entire time I was abroad. |
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) |
I had no problems budgeting my money, food is much cheaper than I was used to. Especially in the stores. Germans typically buy fresh produce daily and therefore the stores would be busier in the evening but overall very manageable. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan out how much money you have and how much you want to spend on certain things ahead of time. |
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 |
We were encourages frequently and supported the entire time. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Fluent |
| 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? | Advanced Language and Culture |
| 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? | The only way you will increase your language skills is if you use them, otherwise they will not improve. You get out as much as you put in. |
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? | Be open to any experience and do not take your time abroad for granted. |
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. |
