Immerse in Learning Past Review
By Thomas J Marszewski (University of Wisconsin - Madison) - abroad from 01/19/2017 to 05/19/2017 with
IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
The adventures, friends, and memories I made through IES will be with me for my entire life! It was absolutely worthwhile.
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. |
Classes were challenging enough to be engaging, but everyone who put in the work got A's. The range of language courses was nice because anyone from native speaker to first-time learner could benefit from the language classes. |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IES offered so many ways to weave Viennese culture into the already-excellent academic experience. Field trips to the most amazing cities in Central Europe (Prague, Budapest), world-renowned professors from all over Europe, and a wide range of language courses were the most obvious examples. But IES did more than teach us about European culture and history. They taught us how to bite into Krapfen, delicious Viennese filled doughnuts. They taught us how be independent and curious, and encouraged us to fill our weekends with adventures around the continent. I saw 15 countries during my time at IES, and many of my favorite moments from the semester were spent with the incredible friends I made through my IES classes. I still correspond with three of my professors, as well as my internship supervisor. |
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) |
Food and necessities were easily taken care of. Make sure you keep a budget for travel, though! Book flights far in advanced and compare prices to keep costs low. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | <100-200 Euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Book flights far in advanced and compare prices to keep costs low. This goes for your flights to-and-from the program, as well as flights to other countries you would like to visit during the semester! Take advantage of hostels or very cheap AirBnB options when travelling. |
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 |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| 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? | 6 semesters of college-level German |
| 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? | Form groups - everyone at IES is required to take a language course, but there is a huge range of options for every level of skill. Introductory classes will be filled with people who are excited to learn, so learn with them! Practice only speaking German to your fellow American students, and get out into Vienna and practice at restaurants, grocers, and coffee shops! |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
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 wish I had planned out everything I wanted to see before arriving. |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
German 403 |
| Course Department: | German |
| Instructor: | Andrea Sernett |
| Instruction Language: | German |
| Comments: | I've been speaking German for years, and I was worried that I would not be able to benefit from language courses at IES. However, the range of courses offered at IES gave everyone an opportunity to immerse in Viennese culture. My German class at IES is still my favorite class of all time. Professor Sernett really took learning outside of the classroom by arranging informal 'Stammtisch' meetings, usually out of her own pocket, where we would go to authentic Viennese cafes and restaurants to practice our language skills in a practical environment. She knew each student in her classes very well and always took the time to make sure everyone was doing well academically as well as in his or her personal life. Her interest in our education was rivaled only by her incredible baking skills which she was so gracious to share with us on a regular basis. She did more than instruct; she shared in our learning and played a huge part in what became an amazing learning experience abroad. Many of her students, myself included, maintain contact with her in some form. In her last email to me, she told me that two students from previous years had paid her a visit during that very week, a true testament to her impact as an academic role model. |
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