Very frustrating experience and a lot of problems with its logistics Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The course itself was amazing. I learnt a lot and I improved my German way more than I would have if I had stayed in the US

On-site administration of your program

The administration of the program is a disaster. I believe it is not Mannheim university but in general the German culture. They do not have ready the program until 1 week before it starts. The directives of the program are not on top of students' affairs. Instead, they send other young people like us to deal with whatever we need. Therefore, they can be very desensitized and careless about any problem a foreigner can encounter. I truly found most Germans very rude and totally helpless. Before the program started, I tried to email the University to have some questions cleared. They take forever to answer your emails if they feel like answering. Most of the time you will be ignored.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The living conditions are OK. I had never lived in a dorm so I am not sure what is good and what is not good. Nevertheless, here is another example of how bad the organization of this program is: The school does not know where to place you until a day before the program starts. They ask you to send money and be aware that the rent could be as expensive as 650 and as cheap as 300. They totally do not let you know all the expenses you will encounter depending on where you are placed to live. I was placed 20 minutes away by train. I did not count at all with having to pay 80 euros more for a monthly train ticket. I paid 600 and they told me that it was one of the cheapest ones. I have classmates who only paid 400. They are full of lies. Besides that, I got the surprise to not have wifi. Fortunately, I have an international internet plan so I could email about the problem. I ended up needing a router which could have been avoided if they had let me know about all these inconveniences. So what about if you do not have an international plan which almost everybody does not have? I guess you are in trouble and there is no way you can ask Germans to help you. The people who live in the same floor I am are so rude and they will just ignore you if you have a problem. I got locked up in the elevator and people were passing by ignoring my call for help. The key did not say the apartment I was assigned, I tried to ask someone and again she said she could not help me

The food at the university is disgusting. It is very cheap but you should expect very bad quality. I am used to eating pretty well and that food does not look appetizing at all.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Because of the attitude that most natives had towards me, I tried to isolate myself. I did not want it to explore anything. At the beginning, I tried to go to restaurants and try my best to speak German but most waiters and waitresses got mad because of my broken German which is not good for a person who is trying to learn. I am not even here because I need it. I just want to learn German!

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I am just going to give 5 stars but I never came across with any issue

I felt safe but a friend of mine got harassed and some random kid tried to steal his gold necklace

My only goal is to learn German. I would rather go to Austria or Switzerland. Germany is definitely not worth it the trouble and the pain

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

Taking into account the extra expenses I was not counting on, I would say it is very hard to live on a student's budget. I have a very decent job so I could pay for all the extra things. Be prepare to spend more than expected

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

Again, the course itself was worth it

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• Dorm

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• International Students

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• International Students

• Grammar focused
• Intensive learning
• Internation students

• Organization
• Planning
• Kindness towards foreigners

The Academic or Linguist