Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

German on my Own Past Review

By (St. Cloud State University) - abroad from 04/02/2012 to 07/20/2012 with

ISEP Exchange: Eichstaett - Exchange Program at Katholische Universität Eichstätt - Ingolstadt

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes it was worthwhile, but after learning that Germans only pay 500€ per semester to attend school and that German University is more of a self taught process I would have taken a different approach to things.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Too little class time. Some of the professors in the program were not good at teaching and or were inflexible.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The Adviser was good but had too few office hours. It was often unclear how paper work need to be completed.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was placed in a nice apartment building that was on top of the valley, while the town was in the bottom. It was a minimum 20 minute walk into the valley. There was a bus that ran 2 times an hour but only until 7pm. It was often inconvenient and separated my from most other students in the program.

* Food:

The food was good and I got to sample not only German food but also all the other international students cooking as well.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There was often programs and event for international students and normal students but again after a day in town at class and then homework being so far from the center of town it was often hard to participate.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It should be made more clear to students going abroad that the ISIC card has insurance and that they are not required to then purchase insurance in the country.

* Safety:

I felt vary safe for the most part in Eichstatt, Germany. But again living where I did the shortest walk home was a path through wood that was not lighted. It felt very unsafe also for the fact that is was a drop off straight down 50 ft. just off the path.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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 was not easy to stay on a budget because we were completely on our own. We had no host family which would have saved us in over spending by mistake on things.

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $150- 200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Ask around, don't buy things until you really need them. Often ask your landlord for tips on kitchen supplies, sometime people leave things behind for future study abroad students.

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

Many times we had no choice but to us German, which was not a problem for me but might be for people with only 1-2 years of a language of less.

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? Intermediate
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? GER 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? Make friends with other people learning the language as well as native speakers. I was at ease with people on the same level as me and was able to ask questions to the native speakers. Also native speakers can help you with homework.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • The people I met though the program
  • The freedom I had to make it what I wanted it to be.
  • I was able to us German everyday and improved my spoken.
* What could be improved?
  • The location, it is in a small village, far from any major city.
  • Have more support at SCSU for students while abroad.
  • A larger university would offer a larger program and more options for student at different level of German.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? The location of the University and where I would be living. Also the way German University courses are run.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!