Studying in Germany, a whirlwind of a year. Past Review
By Christina K (Fine and Studio Arts., Kansas State University) for
Justus-Liebig-Universitat Gießen: Giessen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My study abroad experience was amazing. The academics were great and I enjoyed my time in the classroom, but I think had I to do it over again, I would have applied directly to Giessen for my degree program, and not done an exchange.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I thought the class standards in Giessen were very high, and really learned a lot during my time there. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The university I went to was very helpful and always sent back detailed replies to questions I had, whenever I needed assistance. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Just find the local restaurants, they are never a disappointment. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Traveling was amazing. Cheap flights from country to country was amazing. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Giessen is very safe. I never felt threatened or worried while in Germany or Austria. Other countries you need to be careful such as Spain, Italy, or the Czech Repulic. I know many, many people who have had cash, passports or money stolen in other parts of Europe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent minimal money on food and drink because I wanted to spend that money on a train ticket. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | The student card each semester. My university told me that the stipend was just for living expenses and told me housing wasn't taken out of that amount, which was wrong. If you want to join the Rec center you have to pay for that, even though I had to pay for the use of the rec center in Kansas for the student going abroad. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I took 3 semesters of German |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
My German improved quite a bit while abroad, though it was frustrating because Justus Liebig did not stress the use of German everyday and made it easy during our summer intensive course to not bother learning by giving instructions in English as well as German. Most students had not prior knowledge of German before arrival and chose to speak English. Most of my language practice was in the classroom or during everyday tasks while in the city. However, I mostly made international friends that really had no desire to learn German, or wanted to improve their English and it was difficult to improve my conversational skills. All of my language improvements were self motivated, due to overall lack of desire from other exchange students. |
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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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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