Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

At times difficult, but overall a positive experience Past Review

By (Middlebury College) - abroad from 09/26/2019 to 02/07/2020 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Mainz

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
It was definitely a worthwhile experience. Although difficult at times, I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to experience life in a different culture and become a more independent person.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was a very different system that took some getting used to since classes met so rarely, but courses were interesting.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Lived in a suite with three other students

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I played soccer and met a couple of other Germans, but overall limited opportunities for interaction

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had no health issues 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? $25
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook for yourself as much as possible and take advantage of the Semesterticket

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? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? GRMN0421 at Middlebury
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? Watch German TV shows and movies

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

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Weekly meetings with the BabelGuides
  • Ability to take direct enrollment courses
  • Help with administrative tasks
* What could be improved?
  • Support immediately after moving in
  • Help finding connections to the broader community
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I had known how different the academic structure was. Even though we were warned about this, it did not fully sink in until I began to experience it.

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 Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Ideologie und die Links-Rechts-Dimension im internationalen Vergleich
Course Department: Political science
Instructor: Holger Reinermann
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Professor was well prepared and Material was interesting
Credit Transfer Issues: I haven’t tried yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Einführung in die Kartographie Vorlesung
Course Department: Geography
Instructor: Hans-Joachim Fuchs
Instruction Language: German
Comments: It was a large lecture but the material was interesting and the professor was very passionate
Credit Transfer Issues: I haven’t tried yet.
Course Name/Rating:

Einführung in die Kartographie Übung
Course Department: Geography
Instructor: Ahmad Izzo
Instruction Language: German
Comments: This course was a supplement to the Vorlesung. It was helpful to have a smaller group session, but it often felt as if the two professors were not on the same page, especially regarding the test.
Credit Transfer Issues: I haven’t tried yet.