Freiburg Past Review

By A student (Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication., The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 04/15/2013 to 08/20/2013 with

University of Freiburg: Freiburg - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I definitely improved my German and I am happy about that, but it wasn't because of my living situation. I lived with a Host Family for 2 months before semester started and that was the best way! they were super nice and had patience. Also making an effort to eat with German local students who wouldnt change into English helped me a lot!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program	No one from the University reached out to me specifically to make sure I was doing fine nor there was an advisor specifically for Exchange Students other than the International Office ladies, and they don't know about the classes you can take and such. Research before and asking german students definitely helped me in finding what classes I wanted to take.
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	Everyone else as an exchange was satisfied, they had nice suitemates and clean apartments. I was not so lucky, unfortunately. My suitemates were barely there, were going through a lot and not very clean. My friends there made up for the downside of my living arrangements though!
* Food:	I cooked a lot and twice a week ate at the Mensa (Cafeteria). Saved a lot of money cooking and the food at the Mensa was also cheap and sometimes good, sometimes weird, but Germans seemed to really like it!
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	As a Christian, I joined a Christian organization of College students and that was the best way for me to learn a lot about the culture and make great friends! I ended up going to hikes with them and a retreat weekend. Some did not know English that well since not all of them went to University but other types of higher education, so it was a great way to practice my German since they could not switch into English!
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Very well. I actually got Bronchitis and had to stay home for a whole week. But I am very pleased with the insurance. I called them, they contacted the physician my host family recommended me to go to and i only had to pay for my medicine, which wasn't that expensive. I was supposed to get reimbursed and I submitted everything but forgot to follow-up with it.
* Safety:	I always felt very safe. I have lived in dangerous cities before, and Freiburg was nowhere near close to being dangerous. At night, of course, I would always walk with people and be extra careful and even when I was alone never felt in danger.
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* 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)	Food was cheap and outings were also inexpensive, it was great for saving to travel around!
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	weekend trips were usually 200 Euros around Germany and 300 to a different country
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Cook your food, learn to cook, it really does save money! plus you get to eat healthy!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	My german classes were good to practice german. It is hard to come in contact with germans and build friendships, so a lot of the international students just hanged out with each other, but joining an organization definitely helped me!
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?	I took 4 semesters at UT before going. Last class I took was German Grammar
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?	ask for websites where you can watch TV shows in German! or Youtube it! it helps to listen to a movie or a show!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm Host Family
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students Host Family
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students
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?	nature hikes picturesque town friends
* What could be improved?	living situation
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	that its okay to not be perfect in a language, dont be afraid to mess up or how little you know. the faster you start speaking, the faster you will improve!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Nearly Native or Trail Blazer Craving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.'

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Media Use comparing China & Germany
Course Department:	Media
Instructor:	Stephan Packard
Instruction Language:	German
Comments:	It is labeled as a "Hauptseminar," which are primarily for Master level students, so this class is very challenging. A lot of theories and reading in German. 20page paper at the end of the semester is necessary to receive 6ECTS points, which thankfully can be written in English, since Professor Stephan Packard is fluent in English.
Credit Transfer Issues:	I wanted to get an Fine Arts Visual Arts credit to fulfill my core requirement, but I am still waiting to hear back, I do not think it counts.