Freiburg is home January 07, 2024
By Keegan D (German Language, Literature, DePauw University) - abroad from 02/26/2023 to 06/15/2023 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - Language & Area Studies
I learned how to be more independent, trust myself, and speak more German.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
Have no complaints, not too controlling but very informative, supportive, and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
It was very nice because you are in the same building as other people from your program but live with only Freiburg students. Great balance to get to know new people and a very nice WG. |
| * Food: |
The meal plan is nice, you can just use cash on a card at the Freiburg Uni and the food is great. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated but felt that IES could have done more to help others. I got lucky and had a roommate who introduced me to people but without that and the fact that I played on a local soccer team, it would have been harder. At the end of the day, it might just be something they would rather leave up to the individual, I don't know the thought process behind it but if you aren't very social or outgoing could be hard to get to know locals. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didn't have any healthcare experience but the insurance was easy to get. |
| * Safety: |
Very safe for you but maybe not for your bike. Lots of bikes get stolen in Freiburg so get a lock. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
It was a great experience over all and I loved the city of Freiburg and the people. |
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) |
It just depends on how much food you get and if you buy cheap stuff but the city isn't very expensive. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $40 all on food |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Split meals with your roommates and cook big meals that will feed you for several days. Buy a tram pass and get a bike that you can sell at the end of the program. If you want to travel a lot outside of the Freiburg area get the German ticket or EU rail ticket. |
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 |
It was a good amount but if you had an emergency or problem you could always revert to English |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 400 |
| 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? | Get a tandem partner right away, have no fear, or fight through the fear and just speak all the time even if it's not correct. Remember its easer said than done so don't be too hard on yourself and don't expect it to be easy. |
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 like Germany and want to live there |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
