Amazing Experience in an Amazing City Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The class topics were interesting and they were relatively easy. Almost every class had a final paper and final exam; there always seemed to be a lot of busy work to complete for classes. There's more work to be graded on than just one paper and one exam per class. There was a computer lab and library, but the computers and the internet didn't always work properly.

On-site administration of your program

Most of the administrators were wonderful people - kind and helpful! Sometimes, communication was a problem, and students weren't always sure what/if anything was due, etc.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in Berliner Allee - definitely the best housing! There were three different dorm buildings available throughout the city. Everyone has his/her own room in a suite of about 5-8 people. Some of the buildings were farther from the IES center, so students needed to buy a monthly, 35 Euro tram pass.

Personally, I loved the food in Freiburg! Schnitzel is amazing. There's a lot of bread, pastry and ice cream shops, and cafes are everywhere. There's also a large number of Asian restaurants: Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, etc. There are cheap stores to buy food to cook yourself or with your friends, which was always enjoyable.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Well, we were with American students for the majority of the time and I didn't speak any German upon going, so it was hard to feel integrated. We lived with other German students, but many were private and kept to themselves. Sometimes, students got really warm and open roommates. Really, it just depends on how much you speak the language and effort you put in to get to know Germans and the city.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There weren't any major health issues, but any doctors appointments, etc. were promptly taken care of and the Student Life Director, Karen, helped with this and all the paper work for insurance right away!

I never felt unsafe, even the couple times I walked back to Berliner Allee late at night alone. That being said, always err on the side of safety and be cautious. Students did have personal belongings stolen, more often while we were traveling.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

It really depends on how frugal you choose to be. I know students who spent a lot every month, and others who spent very little. Buy groceries for breakfast and dinner, and prepare your own lunch - or eat at the Mensa, the student cafeteria. You can save a lot by doing this and not spending all your money on chocolate and alcohol. Other than this, there was laundry and any personal expenses. Toiletries could be bought cheaply at DM or at Mueller.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Classes were in English, and everyone (the administrators) spoke English. In German class, the professors encouraged German - obviously. And, even though mine was only a beginner class, it was ALL in German.

Select all that apply

• Dorm

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

Select all that apply

• Americans

• The people - especially the other students and staff
• The travel
• The city of Freiburg

• There was always a lot of work to do, and it was frustrating because you want to go out and see the city instead - and it got to be a lot with all the travel involved in the program. But it was easy work, and if you budget your time well and are efficient in it, it's not too difficult.