Awesome Program for Anyone Interested in Berlin Past Review
By A student (German and Environmental Studies, New York University) - abroad from 02/01/2012 to 05/27/2012 with
New York University: Berlin - NYU in Berlin
My experience was worthwhile to say the least. I learned German at a much faster rate than I was in the U.S. and fell in love with an amazing city while meeting a lot of new and interesting people.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 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 |
The NYU Berlin staff is incredibly helpful and really cares about all of the students. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Though NYU does not provide any kind of meal plan, the university regularly had events where food was served. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Though NYU made many efforts to educate us about Berlin culture and even set up speaking partners that were native Germans and had other cultural programs, the language barrier nevertheless provides a major barrier for many students, since the majority had no previous experience with German. As there is no homestay program, the integration aspect is easy to overlook. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I did not have any experience with healthcare but the staff was very supportive. |
| * 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) |
The Berlin cost of living is a lot lower than in the U.S., which means super inexpensive groceries, but the Euro is of course stronger than the dollar and lots of clubs have covers. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably about $100 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy Ja! brand groceries and don't shy away from eating at home or staying in every now and then. |
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 |
I had previous experience with the language and I actively tried to take advantage of the opportunities to speak it as often as possible, but people who did not have previous experience may have found this harder to do or been discouraged. |
| 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 Intermediate I |
| 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? | Definitely try to find someone you can converse with regularly, whether that's through making a new friend, meeting with a speaking partner, meeting with your tutor (which I highly recommend), or meeting with your teachers. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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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 can't think of anything particular--I really think NYU did a great job of guiding us through the whole process. In terms of packing, bring a lot of layers, because Berlin is much colder than New York in the winter--think Canada-cold. Also people don't really wear heels there and the dress code is in general pretty lax, so stick with more sensible shoes and boots. |
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.' |
