Memorable Past Review
By Chase P E (HISTORY., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 03/08/2012 to 08/02/2012 with
University of Erfurt: Erfurt - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My german greatly improved from a basic level to a conversational level. I made so many great friends from all over the world. Definitely worthwhile.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Courses didn't have a large workload, but the end of the semester exams were very difficult and specific. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Not the most well organized bunch, but they are very friendly and helpful. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Construction all around the dormitories and the Hausmeisters are very rude. |
| * Food: |
Mensa food is very cheap for students, offers many choices everyday, and overall isn't too bad. Isn't open for dinner unfortunately. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Erfurt was a great place to live. All of the residents were very welcoming and helpful. Most of the people in the city don't speak English very well, so its a great place to practice german. Only younger residents could speak English proficiently, so a basic knowledge of German is definitely required. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The University of Erfurt provides an easy to sign up for option through AOK. I unfortunately didn't do this and opted to use the CISI insurance provided through the University of Texas, which didn't work. |
| * Safety: |
I never once felt endangered when I was Erfurt, even wandering the city late at night. |
| 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) |
If you travel alot, your money will disappear very quickly, but locally, nothing is too expensive. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * 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? | 80 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy a Bahn Card if you plan to travel a lot in Germany |
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 |
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| 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? | Second Year |
| 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? | Build a strong vocabulary, everything else will come easily. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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? | More German |
