Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Eine Kugel Pistazie, bitte! Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 04/18/2017 to 07/21/2017 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Mainz

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned a lot more about being independent and gained a lot of empathy for people who live in a language that is not their native tongue. It's hard!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? None

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 20-40 euros

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

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? 300-level
How many hours per day did you use the language? 10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • 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?
  • All ice cream is actually gelato
  • Cheap food!
  • Other Midd students
* What could be improved?
  • Integrating us into the community
  • Insider tips into best places to eat/study/travel/etc
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Don't be afraid to make mistakes--I was so scared when I first arrived of being pegged as a foreigner that I isolated myself, but that's the worst thing you could do!

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!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Das Bismarckreich
Course Department: History
Instructor: Wolfgang Elz
Instruction Language: German
Comments: The professor was very engaging and knowledgeable, but the class consisted almost exclusively of often lackluster student presentations that didn't really enrich my understanding of the subject matter.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Die Arisierung im Nationalsozialismus
Course Department: History
Instructor: Pia Nordblom
Instruction Language: German
Comments: The material was interesting, but class time was often just used for a long, drawn-out discussion of one article, rather than actual history lectures on the topic.
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

Einführungsproseminar Historische Sprachwissenschaft
Course Department: Linguistics
Instructor: Daniel Kroiß
Instruction Language: German
Comments: A super interesting, well-planned out course on the evolution of the german language--by far by favorite part of my study abroad experience!!! Take this course if you have any interest in linguistics.
Credit Transfer Issues: