You can't summarize this kind of experience with a title. Past Review
By Luke T (Philosophy., Presbyterian College) for
Karlsruhe University of Education: Karlsruhe - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I miss it all incredibly. The best friend I made there is still my closet friend. Everything was different, new, wonderful. Life was open. I was free. It was like looking in a mirror for the first time, stripped away of all the pressures and complications of my old life. Learning was chatting up a stranger in a bar. You learned how people live from people, not books. You become the kind of person who can write books, not the student who just reads them. You experience, live, learn, grow.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The workload was far different: no homework during the semester, just an optional paper at the end. I preferred learning this way. It left more room for free thought and was less indoctrinating. Synthesizing the material at the end is a very good way to gather and explore your own thoughts, if done correctly. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
I have no complaints. They were very helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
They were very organized, clean, and friendly. Not too mention all the great activities and parties. |
| * Food: |
Haezal Duener is closed from what I hear, but kebab's are great, cheap, and they ruin your digestive track in a great way. Otherwise, aldi and rewe are very cheap. Learn to cook. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I went to Berlin with my German friends. Great experience going to their capital with them. And the Stock parties were great weekly chances to meet people. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Went to the hospital for three days after a rugby concussion and only paid 10 euros. Your insurance is set up incredibly well. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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? | Way too much on beer. Eventually most bartenders quit charging me because they knew I had already invested all of my capital into "mein womp." Save money for traveling. It's a great comforting knowing you don't have to borrow money to get out of, say, Stockholm after you blow all your cash.... |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I'm not the person to give spending advice. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 101--entry level |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
My friends in my apartment, city locals, my instructor. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | An adventurous one, willing to let go, change and be changed. |
