Past Review

By (Women's Studies, IR, Tufts University) for

Tufts Programs Abroad: Tufts in Tübingen

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Full-Year 2007

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I had 4 outstanding professors and learned a LOT. There is definitly a lot of room to be a slacker,a nd a lot of room to be an over achiever, but

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Ute Link is awesome. Always there, always helpful, and really knowledgeable about Germany, Tuebingen, the bureaucratic stuff and how to get credits for Tufts.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in student housing, aparmtent style, wiht 5 Germans. My housemates were really nice and helpful, but I think I was also lucky. I had a single, and shared a bathroom with 2 others, and we had a full kitchen. Geissweg is definitly homier than other options, has more germans, and is ralatively close to the main campus. (15 by foot, 3 by bike) <br /><br /> IT was close to class, very safe, relatively close to the altstadt (can walk home after partying and no problems)

* Food:

You have to work it yourself. the mensa food is not good, Cafes are great, but expensive, so cooking meals with housemates or friends is always a good idea. There are a couple of Asian restaurants (Indian, Chinese) and they are ok, but don't expect good mexican or spicy things in general outside of turkish foods.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Tuebingen is the safest city ever.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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)

Language

Language acquisition improvement?

a lot of the language component is what you make it. getting a tandem partner for me helped a lot. It is easy to hang out with other Americans or international students and just speak English- but you don't have to.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Tandem Partner. Full year. Don't be afraid to take real classes with real teachers (some of the best classes I have taken were in Germany). Explore the outdoors/random paths near Tuebingen, it is beautiful. Also, beware of phone costs.