Great city, bad program Past Review

By (Colorado State University) - abroad from 09/01/2016 to 12/22/2016 with

USAC Germany: Lüneburg - German Language, European and Sustainability/Environmental Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Of course, this experience was worthwhile and I'm so glad I did it. I grow as a person. I learned so much about myself, other cultures, and my own.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Classes aren't organized well. Teachers aren't good at teaching the subject. Classes are also separated from the German students. Some classes are intense, but instructions are vague and unclear.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

We have two directors here. One is very nice and understanding. The other is a terrible communicator, unhelpful, and very unaccommodating.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Absolutely loved how close I was to the city center and I was blessed with a wonderful host family!

* Food:

I live for German food, so I was quite happy.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

They do not have any events to integrate us with German students, we start a month before they do, so for a part of our time they aren't even present on campus.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

We had to get our health care in a foreign language and all they did was tell use where the office was. Very unhelpful.

* Safety:

I felt very safe in this city and felt comfortable walking around on my own.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I love Lüneburg, but would not recommend USAC to anyone.

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)

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

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? 300.
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
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?
  • Location
  • Germans
  • Food
* What could be improved?
  • Program
  • Administration
  • Academics
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Health care

Reasons For Studying Abroad

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The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.