I love and miss my German/Austrian friends - BCA Marburg - Philipps University Past Review
By A student (International Business., Trinity University) - abroad from 01/08/2012 to 07/20/2012 with
Study Abroad in Germany! Programs and Reviews!
I vastly improved my German, learned many new things about the culture of Germany and Austria, and I developed an appreciation for the beer. It was definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
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 |
Kris was there if you needed him, which was always good. His apartment was a ways to go, but it was doable. It would have been a lot nicer to visit Berlin, or go on other trips, given the program. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Loved the people and the view! |
| * Food: |
Can't beat German beer and wurst! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I got involved with the local SMD organization, and that is where I made a lot of friends. Speaking with my friends there really, really helped me to grow my language skills a lot. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * 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) |
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| * Was housing included in your program cost? | Yes |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | Yes |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you bought in bulk, ate proper portions, and didn't eat out every night, you could really stretch your budget. Also, pack lunches when you travel to nearby towns/places, so you don't have to buy food there |
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 |
We were constantly practicing our 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? | GERM 1301-1 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Find a group of German friends that you can hang out with, and constantly be around them, practicing. All my friends were more than willing to help my speaking and vocabulary skills. |
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? | To be a miser with spending on food; to plan travel plans and buy tickets WELL in advance; and to travel as much as possible |
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.' |
