Don't do USAC Germany! Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The workload was obviously geared to the policy "if they paid, then they can pass". I was not challenged, and the director pressured the language professor to teach only when the bulk of the students were in the classroom. Most days, while the others were still in bed from partying too much the night before (again), it was a waste of time for me to come to class, for the professor had to make the day a "free" day for those of us who WERE interested in learning something.

On-site administration of your program

The program director, Soeren Koeppen, has no care nor concern for the American higher education system. This was proven by his blatancy in attempting to teach a course that is not only not within his major course of study, but also he has not yet earned the certifications to formally teach within our system. It is rather insulting to me that I spent over $10,000.00 to be a part of a semester abroad, and was in class with other Americans, having my hand held. I had hoped that I would be in classes with other Germans in specific, and in general, folks who were willing to learn ... not the bottom of the barrel of first year students, out to party, with a program that was not only hidden from the rest of the university, but every other week, changed where the classroom was. Some days, we could not even hold class, because there were renovations going on to the first or second building the classes were held in, and there was fresh paint or sanders going off while we were supposed to be in class.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I had the lucky straw-pull of living with professionals. They were both German, and as soon as they found out that I had some vocabulary in their language, we no longer spoke English in the house. I learned more German from them than in my "accelerated foreign language program" that USAC offered.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The interesting field trips to be scheduled were reliant on the erasmus students as well as our program. Most were cancelled.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The director has used his position to assist the friends he has that are in the insurance business and health care industry.

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

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