Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Germany; the promised land. Past Review

By (Finance and Financial Management Services., Valparaiso University) for

Valparaiso University: Reutlingen - Hochschule Reutlingen

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
The international experience available from going to Reutlingen is incredible. There are more than just Germans at this university, and you can meet people from all over the world. I am presently planning on going back to Germany to begin my masters program.

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.

The professors were from my home university, so there was no real difference in teaching style. However, the professors, grading system, and teaching methods were very satisfactory.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Everything was satisfactory.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

The dorms were satisfactory. They definitely led to meeting more foreign neighbors.

* Food:

Food is readily available.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The Canstatter-Wasen is excellent. Berlin is great. I recommend highly traveling the different parts of Germany to experience the differences in their culture from one area of the country to the other.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Reutlingen is very safe. I never felt threatened throughout the entire country, actually. I never had any experiences with the healthcare 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? I would , on average, pull about 200 Euro out for a 2 week time span. That included most travel, accommodation, and food expenses. If you are not traveling, and cook most meals for yourself, then you can easily spend less than that much.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook your own food, huge money saver. If traveling, shop around for accommodations, and plan it ahead.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Spanish 204
If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Language acquisition improvement?

Most young people spoke English, however there were ample opportunities to use German in public exchanges, or just in the dorms with the other German students.

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?
  • The diversity of the people available to be met through the program.
* What could be improved?
  • Have the American students in class with the other exchange students.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Any student would benefit from this program. I would just say keep an open mind, and you will get the full dose, and the greatest benefit.