Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Best/craziest experience of your life. Past Review

By (Marketing., University of Northern Iowa) - abroad from 03/04/2014 to 07/29/2014 with

University of Northern Iowa: Bamberg - Semester in Bamberg, Germany

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I gained independence. I learned that I can do anything I put my mind to. It was the best experience of my life, yes it was worthwhile!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The professors read word for word off every powerpoint slide. Every powerpoint slide was online. The final exam was only based on the powerpoint slides. There were no tests, quizzes, or homework, there was very little incentive to go to class. The only grade in the whole course was the final exam. I had no clue what to expect on the final exam. It was totally different than anything in the US.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Very little help when first getting there. Had to find out everything I had to do via ERASMUS students doing a whole year that were there the first semester/other students that had friends that had done this program before. All the forms were in German.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

When I first got to my apartment it was disgusting and dirty. The landlord apologized and said that the previous tenant moved out a day before, but still, why couldn't he have made the previous tenant clean like he made me clean before I left? The organization that handled rent was very unorganized and I was forced to send a couple documents multiple times and they did not allow me to send them via e-mail.

* Food:

Amazing.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I felt very integrated, I had many friends from Germany and was very close to them.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

N/A didn't have any health issues.

* Safety:

Very safe city. Awesome place to live.

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)

You could have lived easily on a student's budget, but to get a great experience you had to spend a lot of money. That is just Europe, there is nothing you can do about it.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? It depended on the week. Average around $35-$45
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Use the Mensa as much as you can. Full meals, very cheap, good tasting food. Make as many meals for yourself as you can.

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

I only did the preparatory German course. It was very basic, but the teacher tried to help us out as much as possible.

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? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? None.
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? Meet local students/residents. Speak as much as you can/use it in any situation possible. People are very nice and understand you're trying your best to use the language and will help you out.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • 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?
  • Traveling
  • The local German students
  • The other American Students
* What could be improved?
  • The organization of everything
  • The study abroad office hours of the University of Bamberg
  • The tandem partner program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That the first few weeks/the last few weeks of the program would be the most stressful of the whole experience.

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 Urbanite
A 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.