I partially owe my happiness and luck to the fall of the wall. Past Review
By Katie B (European Studies, German, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 09/19/2011 to 08/18/2012 with
University of Erfurt: Erfurt - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It is only by chance that we were born in certain countries and speaking certain languages. Basing characterization upon us and them only creates further borders. Break the pattern. We are of our own free will to learn, to be critical, and to always better ourselves. Although I returned with a greater anti-American sentiment and torn European-American soul, I always returned with a better understanding of my country (yes, it still remains a deep part of me). Yes is the only response to the latter.
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Living in a student-dorm will not provide you with the true German university experience. Though sometimes slightly more expensive, it is bettwer to live off campus in a WG (www.wg-gesucht.de). |
| * Food: |
There is at least one vegetarian option each day in the cafeteria, and everything is unbelievably cheap in comparison to UT cafeteria prices. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I had no health care issues, making an appropriate response invalid. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt under threat. |
| 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? | 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? | With rent, around 80 Euros. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Eat at the cafeteria and cook with friends, and purchase a used bike. |
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? | Intermediate |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Advanced |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 4th semester |
| 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? | Speak with locals and encourage the international students to speak German, instead of English. |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | One hardly recieves credit for German as a foreign language classes. And one should not live on campus, but frequently visit campus to the faces are always friendly and one's will be well-recieved. |
