The Ultimate and Unforgettable Learning Experience Past Review
By A student (University of the Pacific) - abroad from 01/09/2012 to 04/24/2012 with
USAC Germany: Lüneburg - German Language, European and Sustainability/Environmental Studies
I learned a lot about myself and I met so many incredible people. It was worthwhile but at times, it was also a huge struggle.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Leuphana Universität |
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Classes were not hard at all but they were very education. I learned an incredible amount of German in the 4 months because of the classes. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Administration was very helpful and was always quick to respond to any service. They also did their best to be accommodating |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing and rooms were nice, but some were given very poor locations. I would have to walk over 30 mins in the snow if I needed to go downtown since the buses stopped running very early. |
| * Food: |
Loved eating at the Mensa with fellow USAC students and Germans. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
It was very difficult to meet German locals and students because the German university semester differs so greatly from the American semesters. It would have been nice to be able to be in the city at the same time as them. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The administrators would make doctor appointments if needed. There was even office hours on campus for a doctor just for USAC students. |
| * Safety: |
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| 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) |
It was so hard to live on a student budget, especially when I lived so far away from the downtown area. I had to spend so much money on cabs because it was just too cold to walk home when the buses weren't running. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 75 euros |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | Intermediate |
| 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? | Try to speak with your classmates in the language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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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? | Germans have a totally different outlook when it comes to relationships. Pack light because you buy so many things to bring home. |
