Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

wouldn't have traded it for anything else. Past Review

By (Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics., Knox College) - abroad from 08/26/2008 to 05/10/2009 with

Study Abroad in Germany! Programs and Reviews!

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
a number of friends for life, both german and american, a better understanding of architecture, european history, art, and art theory, and intimate connection with a foreign city and a foreign life, i'm a much better and more well-cultured person because of it, hands down. i wouldn't have exchanged the experience for anything else. well worth it. every penny.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

excellent instructors, great classroom environment, couldn't have been any better.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

a little confused at times, but seems to have solved any issues by now.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

it doesn't get better.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

i felt like one of them.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

no issues.

* Safety:

i felt very safe and taken care of by the hosts.

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)

* 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? 50 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? none, it's worth spending money abroad, especially if you're using it to travel around.

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 201
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? listen to the radio, watch tv, talk, talk, talk, listen every now and then when you're not talking.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

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

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students
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 close-knit community that formed almost instantly. the size of the program was perfect and i got a lot of attention from my instructors. i felt that the quality of education was very strong because the ratio of instructor to students was very low. and on-site visits were key. there were too many to count. the excursions were great and well led. i came away from the experience with an intimate connection with not only everyone else involved, but many berliners, and not to mention the city itself. if you study abroad, this is how it should be done.
* What could be improved?
  • bring back jan fisher.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? don't come back home.