Not a beautiful city, but a great location for travel and meeting new people. Past Review
By Kayla R (Political Science and Government, University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/22/2015 with
University of Mannheim: Mannheim - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about being away from home, travel, the struggles of knowing different languages, bus schedules, different test styles (Mannheim just gives one final exam). It was completely worth while and I felt I grew up a lot in the process. No one spoon fed me anything.
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. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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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? |
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| * Safety: |
Safe, however most of the student living was outside the confines of the city and the kitchens did not have ovens making it hard for students who wanted to cook to do so. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
I spent a lot, but Germany is a prime place to travel and therefore even though I went over my budget it was possible to stay on budget. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $350 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Plan trips ASAP to save prices and do not spend a lot the first few weeks. |
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 |
Loved this program and had a great teacher at Mannheim |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| 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? | I knew no German before leaving for Germany. |
| 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? | Learn the basics before visiting a country, I was told everyone spoke English but that was not the case in Mannheim. |
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?
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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? | That not everyone spoke English as previously informed, that the dorms were outside the city, no stove in the dorms, one final exam that determined your whole grade, and that there was many more steps to the paperwork then previously assumed. Furthermore, the picture on the brochure (the castle) is the prettiest part of the city |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
