The Ugly Gem of Germany Past Review
By A student (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 02/05/2016 to 05/15/2015 with
University of Mannheim: Mannheim - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned basic german off the streets. I learned a different kind of class room setting I learned how to fit into the German Culture Given the chance I would do the same thing over again.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes I attended were not very hard. Different in the way that they made you think for yourself and interact in the class room. Students were the ones giving the lessons and at least once you would have to give a presentation and teach a class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The school website was hard to understand and navigate, but talking face to face to people was very easy and they were willing to help you out. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I did not get on campus housing. At first I was upset, I thought the host university would be a lot more helpful. But I ended up having to find my own apartment (which was very easy once you were able to start talking to people) This was the best experience because I was living with Germans my own age. Being able to share each others cultures is something I will love forever. If I could give any advice to someone going to study in mannheim it would be to find a non campus apartment. |
| * Food: |
Mannheim has some great food! Try Döners! With a large turkish population a wide variety of new food is available. You can find just about any food you want and all very good. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Get immersed in German and turkish culture. Everyone can speak english and super nice if you ask them a question. Also Visum (program for international students) had many opportunities for Germany immersion and trip to other countries. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I didnt have any health issues while in Mannheim |
| * Safety: |
The city is easy to navigate once you understand the block system. This makes you feel safer because you start to understand what areas to stay away from. I never once felt threaten while in the city. There are some parts of the city I would recommend staying away from, and as long as you don't live in those areas theres no reason to go over there. During the day you should be fine, and I also have never had a problem at night. There are lot of homeless people and they wont bother you if you don't bother them. Of course take normal precautions, stay in lit areas and be attentive. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
Mannheim was not a pretty German City that you see in beautiful Christmas magazines. It is an industrial city with a lot of turkish immigrants. However with its mild winters, travel opportunities and lunch at the Wassaturm I would never change it. Once you get to know the city it becomes your play ground. You start to recognize people out in the street from class or one of Visums get togethers. The people you meat are all here for the same reason. To learn, grow and have a fantastic time. The friends I have met have since met back up in Mannheim to have a night out again and relive our picnics on the Rein river. Mannheim is also a very central place to travel. With a Large train station there is a train going ANYWHERE with in any hour or so. The food and beer is fantastic. You have to try Turkish food! With out the turkish population mannheim would have never tasted so good! Accompany that with a German hefe weissen and you have got yourself a wonderful evening. The classes are Unique and mine were student run. You have to teach once class and then be interactive with the rest. The Campus is beautiful in the old palace of Mannheim and they will hold party's in the courtyards and the catacombs! |
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) |
Living in Mannheim was super cheap. Food/drinks was cheap, activities were cheap and even my rent mid city was cheaper then home. I spent most of my money traveling outside Mannheim where it can get really expensive really quick. Also most of my money in mannheim went to going out to eat or getting drinks |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $8,000 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Look in to Bahn50 card. There is a student discount with your Mannheim card and it makes ALL train tickets half off. I paid mine off with the first use. Using the bus is a much cheaper way to travel aswell. Eat at home |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | No |
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? | Getting into classes is harder then getting into classes back home. If you don't press the send button at exactly the right time your whole schedule can be messed up. This was bad for me because I wasn't able to get the right amount of credits that I needed |
