NRCSA in Germany: It is what you make it. Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

While I learned a lot and enjoyed my time there, there is really no grading system. You are expected to do your work but if you don't, there are no negative ramifications. I treated the program as if it were one of my university classes in the states; however, many of the others did not and that limited the progress made in class.

On-site administration of your program

My guest family (and real family; my mother is German and so I have relatives there) made my trip. The school, both US and Munich, had poor communication skills. They acted like they were doing you a favor, not the other way around. There are several study abroad programs in Germany I could have attended to better my German skills, I chose yours. I am the consumer, you should want to help prepare me for my trip. I did not even get the information about the family I was to stay with until five days before my departure. FIVE DAYS!!! But they had to have their money 3 months ahead... do you see the inequality?

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was told that I would be housed with a family and would have my breakfast and dinner provided. It turned out that they only provided breakfast. So this was a large added expense. Lucky for me, my guest family was irritated with the information I was given (I brought all my paperwork) and we ended up taking turns cooking dinner. Some nights I cooked for the family (I paid) and other night she provided dinner. It was fantastic, but this was due to Rosewietha, not NRCSA.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The school provided field trips to Salzburg, Flussen, Dachau, fußball games... etc. I did not take advantage of them because I wanted to travel on my own and I also met up with my family.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I always felt safe. Safer than I do in the US.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I mostly practiced with my guest family's matron, Rosewitha Earnst-Hey. She was extremely helpful and often explained grammar concepts that were not fully covered in class. I also went out into the small suburban communities around Munich, were tourists did not often go, so that I could speak to the local population and learn how Germans behaved outside of the tourist zones. This helped a lot with my communication skills.

Select all that apply

• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Host Family