Five Months to Remeber Past Review
By Polina L (German, Communication, Berea College) - abroad from 03/01/2014 to 07/11/2014 with
KIIS: Regensburg - Experience Regensburg (Spring Semester)
Studying abroad is an experience you can't compare to anything else: it makes you reexamine your culture and beliefs, pushes you out of the comfort zone, helps you learn a language... but all of these cliches don't even begin to do justice to the overall value of this experience.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
|
* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
This program is very flexible in terms of the topic and intensity of courses. I had a great experience, having selected a fairly rigorous academic load. But the required intensive language courses leave especially no opportunity not to improve - and improve significantly. |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Dr. Weber goes to a great length to try to foresee everything the students should expect in terms of paperwork on site and expenses. There is a further advising opportunity during his visit in the beginning of the term during class section time that is very helpful to have once more and on site. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Single rooms with your own bathroom and a shared kitchen in one of the student dorms around the university: private, clean, convenient. All program participants were in the same dorm, so we could always find each other, if necessary. Non-traditional students can get an apartment style dorm room with a kitchen nearby. |
| * Food: |
Fairly affordable dining hall and cafes on campus, as well as plethora of discount food stores in the area for students, who want to cook back at the dorm in a shared kitchen. It is up to you how affordable and healthy you want to eat. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The host family program is absolutely invaluable. I learned a lot about German family life, and language and culture in general from my host family. However, there is a great support system for the arriving exchange students and for some people that can create a slightly shelters, exclusive environment. It is up to you to reach out to your German classmates at the university, join any interest groups and educate yourself further. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program helps arrange great coverage by a local German insurance - I didn't have a single concern during my stay, when I needed to see a doctor. There were no vaccines that are out of ordinary. |
| * Safety: |
It says something about the city, when their most prevalent crime is stolen bikes. And although I have heard some precautionary advice about basic female safety against sexual assault, neither I nor any of my friends in Regensburg ever had anything major happen to them. I felt fairly comfortable walking around the university and the city center alone. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
|
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) |
Germany is not the most inexpensive country, but smart budgeting (read: not going out every night, no extravagant shopping sprees) make it entirely doable. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | ~130 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Shop at discount food stores like Aldi, Netto, Edeka and make sure to compare prices between them. Look for season of discounts at the mall - you can get very nice things for a very good price. |
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 |
intensive language programs encourage you to start speaking German from day one - regardless of your level. Host families are prepared to speak with you in German, depending on your level. The on-site coordinator is also a great help and encouragement. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Fluent |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Advanced |
| 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? | Try to take or even audit a class outside of the DaF (german as a foreign language) Department or seek contact with Germans any other way. It pays off, even if you stumble and struggle through the conversation in the beginning. |
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 knew how much I will want to stay, so I can spare myself some of the heartache. But I will still do it again in a heartbeat. Also, other exchange students are fun and easy to hang out with, but the slower-to-warm-up-to-you German friends I have made are a highlight of these few months. It is worth the effort. |
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 LinguistYou 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! |
