Wuerzburg: Thrown into Bucolic Germany Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Wuerzburg had a generally low quality of education. I feel that each of my courses would have had the educational value of the first few weeks of a course at UT Austin. Often, my handouts and oral reports were better organized and presented information better than my German counterparts. Don't be fooled because they speak better German than you do: they're just normal students who probably threw together their report the night before. Don't expect the American expectation of high quantity intake and high quality synthesis.

On-site administration of your program

If you need help, the Auslandsamt will help you, but don't expect them to do anything for you (or even reply to your e-mails in a timely manner.) They will just point you in the right direction.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a Wohnheim with a single apartment, but amongst local students. If you want, you can sit in your room alone, but you can also go out into the world and talk to real people and learn how to speak German with real Germans. My Wohnheim (Peter-Schneider) was far away from almost everything: 5-7 minute walk to the bus stop, 15-20 minute walk to the university. Because the bus system shuts down around midnight, being out late on the town requires either going home early or making plans to sleep on somebody's couch (or floor...). I never felt unsafe in Wuerzburg proper, and the location is absolutely beautiful. You need to provide all of your own bedding and living supplies (pots, pans, cups, plates, etc.). There is an IKEA in town where you can find everything easily, because the German idea of shopping means that you pay a lot and you need to know where to shop before you go shopping (not good for your first few days when you have nothing.) I had to contract my own internet, which was an expense I did not anticipate. Organizing that by myself was a pain, and cancelling it was an even bigger pain. I would recommend choosing one of the dormitories next to the Hubland Campus (am Hubland, am Galgenberg) or one next to the city center (Haus Berlin, Internationales Haus) because they're convenient to Grocery Stores, public transport, and "hotspots," and also have internet included in the rent.

The Mensa is like any typical student cafeteria, so don't get too excited. Grocery store food prices in Germany are generally lower than those in the US (but of higher quality.) Fruit prices are much higher, though. If you're vegetarian, don't move to Germany because almost everything has meat in it. People generally eat less food in Germany, which wasn't hard to become accustomed to. The restaurants in Wuerzburg are not particularly great - all "run of the mill" and predictable. Eat at home or with other people, or at the Mensa.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The friends I made in Germany really made my time worthwhile. I avoided the other Americans and I feel that made the difference. Make friends with people like you, but from a different country. You might learn something about yourself.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

You must have health insurance to be enrolled in Wuerzburg. The University has no student health service. Unless you have stellar American insurance, buy your insurance from Germany. Then you can go to whatever doctor you want as often as you want and only pay the flat-rate 10euros. Go to the dentist, ear-nose-throat, or the "lady-doctor" while it's there and relatively bureaucrat-free. Don't be dumb with your health, use the same precautions you would in the US. If anything, everything's cleaner, healthier, and more sanitary in Germany.

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

Select all that apply

• Dorm

Select all that apply

• Local Students

Select all that apply

• Local Students