Bamberg: Beautiful, but Expensive Past Review
By Kathryn S (English/German, Universität Bamberg: Otto-Friedrich / University of Bamberg: ) for
University of Bamberg: Bamberg - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I've fallen in love with Bamberg, regardless of the downsides. It's a wonderful town, and the university is fine.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
There is only one or two grade/s in most courses (a final exam and possibly an oral presentation). The courses only meet once per week. The educational portion was not the most important part of my study abroad experience. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
German offices are only open a few hours per day, from 8am to 2pm or so. This makes it arduous to get any paperwork filed. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a very small apartment, with an in-suite bathroom, a two-burner stove and under-counter refrigerator. It is suitable for one person living alone. |
| * Food: |
The grocery stores are fairly inexpensive (Lidl, Netto, and Aldi near Feldkirchenstr. or Norma in the city), and the best way to eat by far. Bratwurst stands and Kebap are good options for fast food. A sit-down meal will cost 10 to 15 euro. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The trip to Munich was very nice. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Bamberg is a very safe town. Violence is extremely unlikely. That said, the program does not explain doctors or health insurance at all. I got a bacterial infection, found a doctor on the feki.de forum, and got tested and an antibiotic prescription for 25 euro. It's not very expensive, but it is a bit frightening to not have help. |
| 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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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
Many people speak English (nearly everyone within the University), though German is useful in everyday interactions. The language is most practiced in an academic setting. |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Very rewarding if you prefer a more sedate town. Look into bigger cities if you are interested in musical events, ease of travel, etc. |
