Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

5 Months in Berlin Past Review

By (Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics., Wellesley College) - abroad from 03/12/2013 to 07/12/2013 with

Middlebury Language Schools: German Language School

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My German really improved over the semester. I also was able to travel around Germany and Europe, meet people from all over the world, and just enjoy daily life in Germany.

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.

There was a lot of academic support (help with papers, once a week meetings with a language tutor). The Spracheid (language contract) was definitely the central part of the program and helped with improving my German.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was in student housing but the majority of people I lived with were not native-German speakers, which I was told they would be. I know the school can't control who else lives in the buildings, but it would be nice if they could find an alternative housing situation with native German speakers (perhaps a mix of English speakers wanting to improve their German and German speakers wanting to improve their English). On the other hand, it was nice to make friends from all over the world. The dorm itself was in a very nice and convenient neighborhood although it was a little dirty. I was told (for the first time) that I needed to put down a 350 Euro deposit on my room after I arrived in Berlin. This sum of money was difficult for some people on the program to come up with without warning and I ended up not getting all of it back after I left because of bank fees.

* Food:

Middlebury had absolutely nothing to do with our food because we cooked for ourselves. Inexpensive and good quality food was easily accessible from the multiple grocery stores in my neighborhood.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It was difficult to make German friends. Part of the problem may have been the program was only 5 months long and the majority of students at the university were reserved. Middlebury also set up a very formal and weird boundary between the language tutors, who were university students themselves, and the students on the program (ie having to use the formal you with each other). If the boundary hadn't been so weird, the language tutors would have been a great resource for meeting new people/getting more integrated in the local culture. Unfortunately, the formality of the situation prevented it.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I never had any health issues.

* Safety:

I felt safe in my neighborhood and dorm but I think it would have been wise to house more of the students on the program together. I lived with only one other student on the program and I was prevented from going out late on weekends because I didn't want to walk alone. However, Berlin does seem to be a very safe city.

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)

Wellesley provided a food stipend, which was great. Food in Berlin is extremely inexpensive and I was able to cook fresh and healthy food without overspending.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 75 Euros (when not traveling) up to 200 Euros when traveling

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

We had a Language Pledge that said we were supposed to speak strictly in the target language (German)

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? German Literature Courses
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? spend a lot of time in cafes and restaurants, try to make friends who are native speakers

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • the focus on language
  • Berlin!!!
  • the academic support
* What could be improved?
  • housing-(with native German speakers would be nice)
  • more contact with the other students in the program (maybe housing near each other)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known that I wasn't going to have as much contact with German students as I had thought.

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 Linguist
You 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!