Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Freiburg Past Review

By (The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 04/02/2016 to 08/18/2016 with

University of Freiburg: Freiburg - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained a lot of perspective on possible careers and feel more confident in my german speaking. I now have friends not just in Germany but all over the world. It's definitely worthwhile if you can deal with sometimes being lonely and alone and being in uncomfortable situations.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I got a lot of hands on experience and learned a ton while abroad, but the only courses offered that would give me credit with my university were with a heavier workload than most students- American or German- would normally deal with.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

housing was not on campus but incredibly student friendly and affordable.

* Food:

I cooked for myself. Grocery stores and the cafeteria were affordable though.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I was very involved with student life. There are clubs and programs also for international students, but I only attended a few events.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

UT made me get their healthcare plan. I never used ti

* Safety:

Freiburg was a very safe city.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I would have picked other classes and not have given myself such a big workload, but the program, the people I met, and the town I lived in were perfect for me.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? maybe 50 Euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Get a semester ticket for the trams or buy a bike. The inital cost (50-100 Euros) is expensive, but you use one or both every day, and it makes up for the cost. Go grocery shopping and prepare your own food, or go to the mensa. I never spent more than 25 Euros at a store, and that could be shopping for 5-8 days.

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

All of my classes were in German. It was necessary to constantly speak it.

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? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 3 upper division German courses
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? Before you go, read, watch movies, skype, and write in your second langauge. when you're there, try to be as social as possible, and don't let people practice their English with you.

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Exchange

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
* 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?
  • The people
  • The town I lived in (Freiburg)
* What could be improved?
  • advice on workload
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That everyone would want to practice english with me. That it would have been a good idea to buy a bike while I was there. Also (as a female) that most college- aged women don't wear t shirts very often in Germany like they do in the US. I had to change my wardrobe a bit.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!