Happy to meet my German Family! Past Review
By Katie R (HISTORY., Berea College) - abroad from 06/05/2014 to 07/05/2014 with
KIIS: Berlin - Experience Berlin (Summer)
I learned that I should practice German more. Also how important family is
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I thought the class load was fair in their expectations in regards to the limited time that we had. I was so happy that they included everyone in their field trips. I felt that any excursions that a group was going on, I felt welcome to also attend |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The professors were very knowledgeable of their topics. Dr. Henneberg cared so much about all of the people in her program. She worked so hard to make sure that we were all safe, and had a great time. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Meiniger staff was very friendly and having classes in the hostel helped make it a live and learn environment |
| * Food: |
Meininger Breakfast was a little bad but the food money allotted to us, allowed us to go shopping or out to eat at a reasonably comfortable level. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I think Berlin is so used to Americans that I felt everyone already spoke English or was used to English speakers, so I didn't feel very immersed in the local culture. When I traveled though to South Germany, I felt my experience was much more closer to traditional German culture, which is what I think I was looking for |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I felt the hostel was very clean as well as transportation. I luckily didn't have any health issues while I was there, but Dr. Henneberg really cared about the students on the trip I have full confidence she would address health issues responsibly and promptly. |
| * Safety: |
I felt very safe. The Hostel locked its doors at night and someone was always on shift. Also Berlin is such a lively town it really doesn't sleep, so usually I felt like enough people were around that I felt safe. Also we always traveled in pairs or groups so that always made me feel more secure. |
| 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) |
Very easy. Cooking meals with others or by myself was easy since the grocery store was close by. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $12 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | cook your own food, don't eat out every night. Just because the drinking age is lower in Germany, doesn't mean you have to buy alcohol every night. Also if you reconnect with your German family they will feed you lots of good food. |
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 |
I felt encouraged to try, but in Berlin people would talk in English a lot to foreigners |
| 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? | German 103 |
| 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 your hostel's night staff! Make friends with some locals and practice with them or your friends. Duolingo is always very helpful and free tool that you can download and practice in-between studying or downtime. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| 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? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I had looked more into the program before I joined. I felt very well prepared though and was able to do most of the homework before I even left |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
