Past Review

By (PSYCHOLOGY., Valparaiso University) for

Valparaiso University: Reutlingen - Hochschule Reutlingen

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Of course it was, the ability to travel and see all of Europe in a semester abroad was incredible. Nothing I have ever done in my life can compare to it.

Personal Information

The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Courses were well developed and interesting for our program.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The teachers in the program knew the material very well and were able to convey it in a means that was easy to pick-up and relate to the experience.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Mixed dorm with other students and adults from the university and surrounding areas of Germany and were withing walking distance of the university. <br /><br /> It was a little hard to get settled into our building while we were the only students occupying the dorm for the first month until the university session began.

* Food:

The food was great and offered much variety to try new things.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The different social and cultural environments from the many different countries I visited while in Europe were all different but all very worthwhile just the same.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

Safety in a foreign country was great, at no time did I feel uncomfortable in any of the places we traveled to or visited.

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? Spent roughly 100-200 US dollars a week on food/travel expenses.
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Be prepared to spend extra money, its not a big deal if you are prepared to do so.

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Advanced
Language acquisition improvement?

I was comfortable with my language preparation before I left for Europe and had some difficulties at times but that was to be expected.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • International Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? DO IT!! You wont regret anything about studying abroad.