Total Life Changer Past Review
By A student (Gettysburg College) - abroad from 08/29/2018 to 12/15/2018 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - Language & Area Studies
Although my German improved abroad, I think my comfort level with using German increased even more. Going abroad I was nervous to speak German and mess up, but you learn everyone messes up, and also you aren't as bad as you think.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
All the courses are led entirely in German and taught by German professors. Majority of the professors have a large amount of experience (therefore knowledge). The classes were tough, as I had not taking any courses in most of the subjects before, but most of them were interesting and sometimes fun. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration at IES is awesome! Someone is always around to answer your questions and if they don't know the answer to it or can't help you, then they are quick to let the appropriate staff member know. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
|
| * Food: |
It's tough going to a different country and having to grocery shop all entirely for yourself. I certainly learned how to make a lot of foods but it's tough having to provide and shop for yourself all the time. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Taking all of your classes in the IES Center and having your own rooms to do work there, it was difficult to integrate into the university culture and classes. I most felt integrated when I met my friends' German roommates at parties and clubs. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Personally I did not have any health issues while abroad so I don't have much experience with that. From my understanding the insurance is extremely helpful in that it covers a good amount of medical costs and of course the staff is always there to help with problems. |
| * Safety: |
Freiburg is a safe city, if you know where not to go at night. There are some places where you should only travel in groups at night, or avoid them entirely, but if you are smart and listen to the orientation safety session at the beginning of the semester you really don't need to worry about any of it. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Freiburg is a place I most definitely plan on visiting again. It's beautiful and has the perfect environment for a study abroad experience (not too big and not too little). |
Finances
|
* 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) |
It's tough at first as I have never grocery shopped for myself, especially not in a foreign country but I got the hang of it and was able to shop pretty well. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $70 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Don't buy anything in big portions unless it's non-perishable. Growing up with 3 siblings, everything got eaten and fast. Abroad, I learned that stuff gets eaten slower when you are the only one eating it so lots of stuff got spoiled for me at first. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
|
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
|
| 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? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | German 302 |
| 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? | Tandem partners, hang out with just your roommates and talk in German, join a sports team or a gym. It's difficult when you are spending most days with Americans to purposefully speak German but it's possible. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | There are so many cool places around Freiburg to go to! I traveled to a bunch of different countries but definitely wish I would have traveled more in the surroundings areas of the Black Forest and Freiburg. |
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. |
