Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Close-knit with the freedom to choose Past Review

By (The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 09/04/2017 to 12/15/2017 with

Salzburg College: Semester Study Abroad in Austria

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to adult. Fliegebombe, (unexploded WWII bomb) on the train line, everybody out? No problem, I'll just get out, take the Bad Endorf bus to Rosenheim, and be at Munich East in time for my flight. I wouldn't have been able to figure that out last year. Also my German is pretty good now.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

I lived with the sweetest old lady who was a kind and great cook. She spoke fluent English and German. I had my own room and another guestroom had a classmate of mine of the same sex in it.

* Food:

At midday, the students and instructors eat at a church/hotel which has a small buffet set up every day. Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's not. Depends what you like.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

In a private college, with only some 20 American students enrolled, it was easy to speak with only Americans outside of a host family, and getting in touch with the local culture took effort. I didn't really make any real Austrian friends my age while I was there, but I don't think most American students are looking to.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Not Applicable but I had to rate. I did not need to use my foreign health insurance during my stay.

* Safety:

I always felt safe in Salzburg. I did take the reasonable precautions of not getting too drunk alone in a foreign country or being alone outside past 11pm.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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)

The main money-taker is traveling. And fortunately, this can be easily reglulated by the user on how much she wished to travel and how. I received full paid meals while with my host mom. (Though, at least one host family I heard of only gave hot meals to their students once a day, and asked them to eat out at restaurants on weekends. Hopefully this is changed. Another family charged their student 50eur for the wifi password.)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50, mostly on unnecesarry things/meals. A monthly bus pass costs about 45-80 eur.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? If you party, drinks and taxis add up for those who don't plan well. Most busses tend to run until about 11pm.

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

I only spoke German with my host family, because I was near fluent and this is what I wanted to do. But this was neither necessary and most students did not do this. We are, however, enrolled in an intensive daily German class which I learned a lot from.

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? 203
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? You're probably not going to master German before you get there. But if you already know the grammar, duolinguo or listening to music is a fun way to improve vocabulary. If not, look up some youtube videos of polite important german sayings.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • The program was intimate and well cared for. Not the 400 student ecture hall, beurocratic sink or swim of European State Universities.
* What could be improved?
  • Make me feel like a half-real Austrian. Take us to the Salzburg Uni for a day, maybe?
  • Oh gosh please no more Bella the Chihuahua in the library.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? There will likely be a only total of 15-35 other students there while you are enrolled, almost all Americans. Lower end of the spectrum for the semester, higher during the summer.

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!