Having no idea what is going on can be fun too. Past Review
By Albert Artiles (Berea College) - abroad from 01/03/2017 to 04/28/2017 with
Speak + Write Marburg: Intensive German in Marburg
I learn German! It also took me out of my confort zone. It was a new experience to be in a place where I had no idea how anything workes.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I feel the program has some really good teachers. However, the program is not really designed for people who are not planning to study in a German University. The program focusses a lot on giving strategies for an exam, rather than day to day conversation. If you are planning on taking any admission exams to attend a German University like TestDaf or DSH etc, the program is very good at what it doe. But if you are looking to have conversations with your classmate and learn the language without doing those tests, then this programs has some deficiencies. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apartment was amazing. I loved quite a lot. It provides everything one needs. The internet was a little slow but that makes you wanna go out and explore. The only down side for my apartment was that it was very secluded from the downtown. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I got to make some really good friends from the area. I still cannot say i got completely submerged in the culture. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I really did not have any health issues while abroad. |
| * Safety: |
Marburg is a very safe place. One can walk at night with no fear. But no place is perfect so always keep an eye. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I love my professor and my classmates but i feel the program didn't always agree with my personal goals. I would love a program that encourages more talking from the students' side and more interpersonal experiences |
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) |
Everything was good. I spend about 60 euros per week or so, and then there is the money I spend traveling and getting around. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | say about 150 per week and then there is the money I spent on plane and train tickets and traveling a little. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you are going to Marburg make sure to ask for a place downtown. This will save you about 45 euros per month. Also There are some stores like the Egyptian by MediaMark where one can get vegetable and other product at a much more reasonable price than other bigger places like REWE and Tegut (specially Tegut which is very expensive). Also one can get a simcard from ALDI at the check out counters. The Aldi plans tend to be the cheapest. |
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 could not talk in English. We all had to talk in German during the whole class period. I also had friend who spoke no English and the only language in which we could communicate was German. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | B2 |
| 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? | Become friends with those who don;t speak english or any other language you speak. This will force you to practice the language. And do not be scared of sounding funny. You are learning you will not be perfect but if you can get your idea across that is already an accomplishment. Plus Germans love it when people try to learn their language and some are willing to help you with it. |
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? | The program focusses a lot on three exams TestDaf, DSH, and TelC1, specially the first. most of the activities if not all will focus on these exams. |
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 AdventurerThe 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. |
