A year in Berlin Past Review
By A student (German Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/21/2011 to 07/14/2012 with
Middlebury Language Schools: German Language School
What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I know a lot more about Berlin/German culture and society, which is knowledge that can only be gained by experiencing it firsthand.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ | 
Review Your Program
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 * Overall educational experience
 Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.  | 
 
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 * Host Country Program Administration
 On-site administration of your program  | 
 
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 * Housing:
 How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?  | 
 
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| * Food: | 
 
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 * Social & Cultural Integration:
 How integrated did you feel with the local culture?  | 
 Speaking the language definitely helped me feel integrated to some extent, but being a visible minority meant that I was often automatically treated as an outsider by locals.  | 
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 * Health Care:
 How well were health issues addressed during the program?  | 
 
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| * Safety: | 
 
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| 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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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No | 
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No | 
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  | 
 We were bound by the language pledge.  | 
| 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? | Advanced | 
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 239 | 
| 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? | Speak it as often as possible, listen to the radio | 
Other Program Information
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 * Where did you live?
 Select all that apply  | 
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 * Who did you live with?
 Select all that apply  | 
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 * Who did you take classes with?
 Select all that apply  | 
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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? | - | 
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