Live outside the comfort zone Past Review
By A student (Berea College) - abroad from 02/24/2017 to 06/16/2017 with
KIIS: Regensburg - Experience Regensburg (Spring Semester)
My experience was definitely worthwhile. I feel as though studying in a foreign country and experiencing world cultures different from your own is an experience everyone should do.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The courses I took abroad were rigorous and intense. However, I felt as though Berea prepared me well for them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The process was quick and painless. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in university housing that was located away from the campus, however the public transportation system in Germany was excellent. |
| * Food: |
Foods always amazing. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I found it a lot easier to branch out and talk to the native students at my university as opposed to the students who where in the program with me. I tried to submerge myself in the culture by trying to only speak the language and actually live as a local. It was challenging sometimes when I wished j just had someone who was just like me that way I wouldn't have to explain things as much or go into detail every time about why I think what I think or say what I say. Nevertheless, overall, it was a positive experience. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Luckily, I never had issues with the healthcare while abroad. However, the other students who did found the process simple. The main dilemma they encountered was the language barrier. |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
The program was great and the people were nice. However, I do not feel as though my language skills improved as much as i would have liked. The language program was not very rigorous. |
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) |
It was not difficult to live on the student budget. I recommend setting a specific grocery budget so as to not spend to much. I found I had to go grocery shopping more often than I intended. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Maybe around 15-20€. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Budget specific amounts and make so it is impossible to go over that amount. Also, try to limit how often you use to atm. Those fees add up. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
With the program, I only used the language with the language classes. Everyone else in the program felt comfortable speaking English. I found that if I wanted to practice, I had to do it outside of the group. That meant at restuarants, the cafeteria, and in my additional classes. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| 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? | 300 level language course |
| 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? | Step outside of your comfort zone and make friends. Ask them to o my speak in the language with you. Or, join a tandem. That way you can help someone with their English or whatever language you speak, and they can assist you in learning the language you are studying. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I wish I knew more about education in my host country. |
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.' |
