Abenteuer in the Schwarzwald Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Overall the course load is much lower than at UT, but you take more classes (5-6). Also classes are generally once a week for 2 hours. Most tests and papers are due at the end of the semester. The university offers a wide range of classes and overall the professors were really good. There is another institure that partners with the university (you can earn ECTS credits) called SprachLehr Institute (SLI). It offers language classes tailored to your level with some classes offered at night. For UT students you'll have to pay extra for these classes (some are free though). This is a great program because most of the university classes are C level, aka for fluent speakers whereas the SLI classes are made for students learning German (or any other language you want to study).

On-site administration of your program

If you're not an Erasmus student or part of a program, you are basically on your own. Part of the study abroad experience is learning how to do everything in a foreign country and making mistakes and working with other confused international students to navigate the extremely complex bureaucracy that Germany has to offer. However don't think that UT will help prepare you in any way- the best idea is to talk to someone who has recently been on the same exchange program.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived in a student dorm (Wohnheim) called Studenten Siedlung (StuSie). My buildin ghad 3 floors, some were much larger with 10-12 floors. On my floor, there were 12 people, each with individual rooms. There were 3.5 bathrooms and a shared kitchen, dinning area and porch. In my building there was a nice mix of Germans and other international students and everyone was really friendly. Overall it was super messy and left much to be desired. However behind the maze of StuSie buildings, there is a beautiful lake and wonder park areas where students are constantly hanging out and grilling (Germans love to grill) all spring and summer. There is also a service point where you can print, scan, fax, copy stuff, rent mattresses, and grills and buy washer & dryer tokens. However it is only open for 2 hours each day. There is also a room where they show movies or have parties (with an full bar). There is also a gym and music room.

The University campus is spread out throughout the city with the main liberal arts part being in the downtown/Innenstadt area. Scattered along with the university areas are Mensas or student cafeterias. Once you put money on your Uni card, you can eat there. The main Mensa (Rempartstrasse) is near the central part of the Uni. They serve lunch with multiple options (always a veggie option) for around 3 euros. There is also a buffet option (priced by weight) that will cost around 3-5 euros depending on how hungry you are. While the food is not great, it is cheap and much better than the food i've had in UT cafeterias. They also serve dinner (buffet style only). There is also a Mensa Garten which is basically a beer garten on the side of the building. Many events are held there- when i was there every Euro Cup game was shown for free. There is also a bar inside- but i'd suggest going elsewhere for good drinks and a better atmosphere.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The University of Freiburg is very diverse, with a large population of international students (around a third). Although there are so many internationals, they mainly hang out with each other- which is fine. There is a tandem speaking program to help you find someone to practice your German (or any other language) with. And believe me, they definitely want to practice their already perfect English.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It was nice that UT makes each students purchase study abroad health insurance, because it is required in Germany (and more expensive and complicated there). However i didn't really use it.

Freiburg is ridiculously safe- except for bicycle theft which is quite rampant. Everyone owns a bike and even if it's locked up- at least part of it is sure to go missing at some point. Also you have to watch out for the Bächle, which are little streams of clean water running along the streets throughout the Innenstadt. If you fall into one, you will marry a Freiburger...which could be good or bad...

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

It is really easy to live on a student budget in Germany. While you lose money convertin gyour dollars to euros, the housing is fairly cheap (~250/mo). Food prices are around the same as in the US (but in euros) Eating out is similar (except no free water or refills and 2-3 euors 0.2 liter cokes).

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• The city- Freiburg is awesome!

• Preparation for studying aborad is crucial and UT coul dhave been more helpful- also the lack of a connection between Uni Freiburg and UT made it very difficult to choose the best classes and get all of my paper work done correctly