A Short Study Abroad, But Entirely Worthwhile! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Students study at Leuphana Univesitaet in Lueneburg, but the classes are taught in English (some exceptions for high-level German classes that I was not in) and set up like an American classroom. You're in class mainly with other Americans in the program, though there were a few other international (non-American, non-German) students taking the beginning German classes. Since it's only five weeks, the course load can get heavy at some points, but I never felt as if there was too much or an unfair component.

On-site administration of your program

While I did not get my "buddy" assignment until very close to the date I would be arriving, we were given great directions on how to get to Lueneburg once in the country, contact information (VERY USEFUL, write it down and have spare change for pay phones ready), and we were communicated with a lot once there.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I was living in a house with three other girls a couple blocks from the uni. Our landlady and landlord lived right next door and we saw them occasionally, and they were very friendly and helpful with my and my friend's lack of German. Everything we needed was provided (sheets, implements for the kitchen), and previous occupants had left some helpful notes about what we would need to buy (toilet paper, our own food), laundry (the landlords had a laundry business), and other things. The neighborhood felt very safe, and it was only a half-hour walk from the Altstadt/city center, with a bus stop right next door and bakeries and shops within a ten-minute walk. I did hear from other students about various living situations (some had to pay per 10 min for their showers, some roommate issues), but I couldn't have asked for a better place!

The Mensa, the cafeteria on campus, had good prices and something every day (deciphering the menu=good German practice). Supermarkets were within walking distance of campus, and a larger store was barely five minutes away by bus. The Altstadt was only 10-15 minutes by bus and had plenty of food from sit-down restaurants to bakeries and cafes to doener kebab places. we were fond of Maexx, a restaurant/cafe/sports bar a few streets off the main square. It was good no matter what you were looking for. Right next to it was O'Leary's, an American sports bar with surprisingly good quesadillas and free popcorn appetizers.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

we had multiple official field trips: Bremen (of the famed Bremen Town Musicians), Schwerin (to see a former East German/Stasi prison, and then its historical parts), Luebeck and Travemuende (with a very nice beach). Additionally, your student pass used to ride the buses also lets you take the trains for free within the state, so I was able to explore other cities (Celle, Hannover). Buying a small pocket English-German dictionary was the most useful thing, and I should've done it as soon as possible. Not only does it help with vocabulary, it came in useful when I wasn't using the right word (or pronouncing it correctly). Lueneburg was probably the perfect city. The public transport was great and I don't think many students had more than a half-hour walk from where they stayed to the uni or the city center. It being a university town, a lot of the young people (and a lot of the population) spoke English, which helped when my brain failed in coming up with the correct German words, but they were very nice about my horrible German when I tried to use it.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I made sure to keep my purse in my grasp and across my shoulders to be safe, but even when I was out late and the buses weren't running (past about 8:30, give or take half an hour), I felt safe walking back to my house. The program gave us a lot of tips and showed us how to call the cheap taxis that take the place of buses when they're not running.

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

It is important to note that in classes you're with other Americans and the program does a lot of activities, so you spent time with them. Depending on where you live and who you meet, it can be very easy to not speak German at all outside of classes and a few interactions with shopkeepers. Many--I'd venture to say most--people speak at least a little English, but they definitely appreciate it when you attempt German. One of the most important things I knew was how to say "I only speak a little German, and it's very bad. Do you speak English?" Not to mention, everyday interactions (the bus, going out for food or shopping, riding the trains, etc.) are much easier when you know German, and it's a great way to practice. But if you're looking to work on your conversational skills, you have to put yourself out there.

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• Apartment

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• International Students
• Americans

• Setting
• Instructors

• Communication before leaving