Learning to step outside the American sphere in Germany Past Review

By (University of Maine - Orono) - abroad from 01/04/2018 to 04/26/2018 with

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

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I think I gained a lot of confidence and independence, I had been abroad before in a non-academic setting but four months in a foreign country where I traveled a lot really pushed me into a new part of my life. I also understand the relationship of language to identity a lot more and feel like I can really understand immigration issues in a new light now.

Review Photos

USAC: Luneburg - German Language and European Studies at Luneburg University Photo USAC: Luneburg - German Language and European Studies at Luneburg University Photo USAC: Luneburg - German Language and European Studies at Luneburg University Photo USAC: Luneburg - German Language and European Studies at Luneburg University Photo USAC: Luneburg - German Language and European Studies at Luneburg University Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

The only reason I wouldn't choose this program again is that it didn't have very much to do with my major (anthropology with a focus on sustainable food systems), as a result I got a little bored with the coursework sometimes as it didn't feel incredibly important. I chose this program for the language, which was really great, but if i were to study abroad again I might look harder for a program that focused on my academic interests a little more.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 80$
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Just track how much you're spending

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? 200
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
  • International Students
  • 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? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Location
  • Teachers
  • Student Community
* What could be improved?
  • Living Situation
  • Exposure to local students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? This is such a hard question to answer because you're going to try to prepare for everything on a trip but you just really can't, there will be things you aren't prepared for and you'll learn as you go, there's nothing that I think could have really helped, you just have to learn as you go.

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!