Study Abroad in Leipzig Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The German colleges offer classes and modules. Both are similar to a 3-4hr class. However, each module is divided into one of three categories: lecture, seminar or Übung(practical/lab). And it is possible that you have different teachers for each section. Similar to having TAs in lab classes in the US. I never met more than once a week for each section or class. I didn't always like this since you can forget a lot in a week, especially if you are busy discovering a new city/country. You do NOT get a lot of homework assignments and even though they aren't for a grade, it is ALWAYS helpful to do them! My grades for each class was either from a Klausur(written final) or a Hausarbeit(Semester paper over a certain topic). You were allowed 2 unexcused absences before you could no longer receive a grade in each class. If you were sick you needed to show a doctors note or if you met with another professor you needed a signed note from them. The Leipzig University is spread out throughout the city. It is best to find a German buddy and have them show you around to your classes via Tram or walking. And always carry a map! :P

On-site administration of your program

The exchange student contact here did not have a lot of office hours for students to drop by with a question. You could e-mail, but would have to wait awhile for a response. At the beginning of the program it wasn't very clear where all we had to go and WHEN those places would be open. (Note: German offices often close early on Fridays.)

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a WG or something similar to a dorm-suite. I had two roommates, one bathroom, one kitchen and a small enclosed balcony. It was pretty cheap compared to other housing, but it was also 30min away from the middle of the city. Luckily, I was right near a tram stop. If I would go back, I would probably have had chosen a more expensive dorm in the city.

I love German food! I could always find something to eat in Leipzig. Döners are cheap(3-4Euros) and delicious(Döner=pita bread filled with meat, lettuce, sauce and veggies). There are also a variety of international restaurants in the city. Indian and Italian restaurants are also tasty, but a little bit more expensive(min. 11 Euro/meal). A friend of mine was vegetarian and said there were a lot of options for her to eat here too.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were a lot of activities for students. During nice weather I enjoyed visiting the lakes and wandering around the city.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I felt very safe throughout the program. I did get sick once during the program and had to go to the doctor. The doctor was very nice and I was able to get antibiotics for my illness. The health issues weren't addressed, but I was able to get in contact with the doctor through a German friend.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

I only gave this a one globe increase since I came to Leipzig pretty fluent in German. (I studied abroad in Germany for 10 months after Highschool.) I learned a lot of specific phonetic rules in my German classes. As for speaking, I made sure to talk a lot with Germans. I found a frisbee team to play with and was able to speak German while having fun. I also made sure I spoke up in class. Even though I don't always like talking in classes, I made sure I made at least a few comments in each seminar that I took part in. (Tip: It's best if you talk the first day/week so you get over your fears of talking in front of other students.) If your German speaking abilities aren't amazing, don't worry, a lot of younger Germans can and love to speak English. HOWEVER, don't rely on that all the time or you won't ever improve your German!!!!

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• Dorm
• Apartment

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• Local Students