Germany : Chance of a life time Past Review

By (Englsih, Valparaiso University) for

Valparaiso University: Reutlingen - Hochschule Reutlingen

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Yes, it was beyond amazing!

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was challenging, yet manageable. Very rewarding.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The faculty leader was very helpful and always available if we had questions.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

good, the mensa was always open for lunch and there was a grocery store near our dorm. There was also a kitchen on each floor and we received kitchen supplies to cook with.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

October Fest in Stuttgart!!!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

I felt very safe while I was abroad.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

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? around 50 euros a week
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Train reservations can get kind of pricy

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? German 102
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Immersing myslef in the culture
* What could be improved?
  • Be more integreated with other students
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? If you think you wanna go, do it! Don't over think it, just pack your bags and go, because the chances of ever getting this opportunity again is very slim. There is nothing more educational than immersing yourself in another countries culture!