Paderborn: A Small Town Making Big Dreams Come True. Past Review
By Megan B (International Business., Illinois State University) for
Paderborn University: Paderborn - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
If I was not going to be a senior and needed to graduate on time, I would study abroad again in a heartbeat. One thing is for sure, I will come back to Europe many more times.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Uni Paderborn |
| 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. |
I had two American professors, one from Dubai and a German professor as well. I also took 3 block seminars which was extremely different than anything I have ever taken at home, but it was a good experience. The only think I can really complain about is not really knowing where you stand grade wise throughout the semester. I also did not like how our grades were solely based on two exams for an entire course and that's scarey. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Frau Brebeck and Eurobiz literally make everything about being an exchange student at Uni Paderborn an easy transition and so much fun. I couldn't have asked for better people to lean on for the past 7 months. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I loved living with German students, especially the ones who accepted the fact that I was not German. I wish I would have been able to live with exchange students, but that's just how it goes. I loved living in Vogeliusweg. My recommendation to Uni Paderborn is to try and keep all the exchange students in the dorms. It makes it easier for us to meet people. |
| * Food: |
German food and beer is unbelievable! Any and everyone can find something to eat here! Advice: Doner Kebabs. They are simply amazing. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Germany is in the middle of Europe... travel, travel, travel!! Also travel Germany. It's beautiful, full of history and pretty cheap to do so. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Always felt safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Make a budget before hand, how much you are going to spend on a weekly/monthly basis on the basics like food, rent and all of that stuff. Figure out all of the fixed expenses like student bills, housing, bus passes. Then figure out how much you will budget yourself for extra traveling. When you are out here, you are going to want to travel. Its like in the water or something out here, everyone does it. You can spend thousands or travel on a budget. Its an individual based thing and you just need to figure out where you stand financially. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Traveling expenses will be the thing that burns the hole in your pocket. Beware! Make budgets before hand if necessary! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Completion on my minor in German |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practice my German with German students and friends that I have made here at Uni Paderborn. I would also use it when interacting with other people, like a grocery stores and in town. However, I became friends with a lot of other foreign exchange students and our only common language is English. Also, the Germans love practicing their English on us. As for the required language course I had to take. It did nothing for me. I loved my teacher, but I was definitely placed in the wrong level. |
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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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Business students or students studying German. also students who want to travel, German is a prime location. Come to europe or any study abroad location with an open mind. Even if you get homesick, this will be an experience you will never regret. |
