Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Past Review

By (Biology, General., Valparaiso University) for

Valparaiso University: Reutlingen - Hochschule Reutlingen

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
DEFINITELY WORTHWHILE! I've gained a sense of all-around confidence and am certainly more culturally enlightened.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Valparaiso University
The term and year this program took place: Fall 2009

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

In terms of academics, I learned a lot simply by attending class and traveling Europe. There are certain things about cultures and various environments that textbooks cannot convey to you unless you actually experience those things. I undoubtedly learned so much both inside and outside of the classroom.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

strengths: professors, location weaknesses: lots of English

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I lived with another VU student in a Reutlingen Hochschule dormitory. We were intermixed with other German and international students. <br /><br /> It was just like any other dorm - average.

* Food:

I loved the Mensa food :) much better than VU's cafeteria 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? 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? normal week (in reutlingen for classes, staying there on weekends) = ~30-50EUR/wk traveling/vacation week (outside of Germany) = 70-200EUR/wk
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? the EURAIL pass does not cover certain trains - read the fine print on the eurail pass and be prepared to pay the costs - ALSO, many of the trains in europe (especially in italy and any overnight trains) require RESERVATION FEES (5-20EURO) per one way.

Language

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

As much as I would have loved to become fluent, this was an unrealistic expectation for such a short amount of time in Germany. Furthermore, I was not given the option to room with a local German student, and therefore roomed with another VU student who spoke no German. This made the process of assimilation much more difficult as I did not speak much German in the dorms. Moreover, due to the numerous class field trips and weekend excursions, I was only ever in a German speaking culture 4X/week and in Switzerland and Austria. I do believe I could have pushed myself harder in terms of speaking the language on a more regular basis, but I believe that more time in the country would have eased my fears of making mistakes and appearing as that "stupid American." Nevertheless, I certainly did improve my language skills the more and more I opted to stay in Reutlingen, instead of venturing outside Germany's borders. I do undoubtedly believe that, in order to become fluent, one must live in Germany for more than 3.5 months, but I do now consider myself proficient in the German language, and that will have to do for now.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Take at least one German class beforehand. Download Skype and teach your parents how to use it. Budget at least 100EURO for postcards and stamps.

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

European Art and Architecture
Course Department: ART-311
Instructor: Herr Springer
Instruction Language: English
Comments: This was, for me, the most interesting course. I have never been too interested in art, but that completely changed once I became immersed in the world's center for architecture and art: Europe! Everything Herr Springer taught to us in his lectures, we could actually travel to! I saw the Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower, St. Peter's Basilica, numerous Monets, Klimts, Degats, Picassos, etc.! Herr Springer also took our class on a trip to Paris, despite his busy schedule, and for that, I will forever be grateful! He is a very kind, very humorous professor, who knows his art!
Credit Transfer Issues: No credit issues.
Course Name/Rating:

Topics in Economics
Course Department: ECON-290
Instructor: Herr Veit
Instruction Language: English
Comments: There was only one exam in this course, and one presentation. Herr Veit's lectures were always very relevant and very interesting, and sometimes accompanied by locally brewed wine and pizza from Reutlingen's Pizza Planet. He is one of the most intelligent men I've ever met, and for this reason, his final exam requires a decent amount of studying. Regardless, Herr Veit set up a field trip to the Reutlingen Police Station (very interesting) and to the Mercedes Benz factory in Rasstadt! I definitely appreciated this course and have walked away from it a more culturally enlightened individual.
Credit Transfer Issues: no credit issues
Course Name/Rating:

German Life and Culture
Course Department: GS-390
Instructor: Professor Szanizslo
Instruction Language: English
Comments: A lot of focus on the German media and German current events. We watched 4-5 different films, some in English, some in German, all relevant in some way to German history. We ventured to Berlin as a class field trip, which was definitely an amazing experience! As last semester was Professor Szaniszlo's first semester teaching this class, there were a few minor issues, however, as the semester went on, and as the students expressed their opinions, the professor was very understanding, and we grew to love her!
Credit Transfer Issues:
Course Name/Rating:

German Composition and Conversation
Course Department: FLGR-204
Instructor: Brixner
Instruction Language: English/Germany
Comments: always a hilarious experience - Herr Brixner's enthusiasm for English and for the Reutlingen program made each class quite humorous and fun - both he and his wife invited us to their house for lunch, a field trip much appreciated. Herr Brixner was my favorite teacher and was always willing to help with ANYTHING at all. He is certainly a man i hope to keep in contact with for the rest of my life.
Credit Transfer Issues: