Just come to Germany. It's awesome. Past Review
By Jonathan L (Mechanical Engineering., Valparaiso University) for
Valparaiso University: Reutlingen - Hochschule Reutlingen
My study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile. I gained a lot of confidence in my own ability to put myself where I feel vulnerable and learn from that experience. I learned how to tolerate being around people you don't like all of the time. It was a nice change of pace for me academically. I was starting to get tired of the late nights of homework and being constantly busy.
Personal Information
| The term and year this program took place: | Fall 2009 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really enjoyed German class with Herr Brixner. I think he's a great teacher and he definitely challenged me to improve my German language skills. Art class with Herr Springer was also very engaging. I feel like I have a really good practical grasp on European art history. And getting a personal tour of the Louvre from him was amazing. Herr Veit was also a great teacher. Sometimes he got to rambling a bit, but at least he knew what he was talking about. Like I said above, German Studies with Prof. Szaniszlo was a waste of time. I didn't feel like she was ever prepared for class, so consequently I didn't feel like being prepared for class. Sometimes we didn't discuss the reading on the silabus, rather we talked about where we had gone over the weekend. Why should I do the reading if we're not going to talk about it? We didn't even talk very much about the movies that we watched together. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I really lucked out on floormates. A lot of them are very social and were very open right from the first day. We've gone bowling together and eaten community dinners. <br /><br /> It's a dorm. The kitchen is nice and big and is kept clean. Nothing is too far away in Reutlingen with a bus pass. |
| * Food: |
Cafeteria food is still cafeteria food in Germany. You pay 3€ you get a 3€ meal. But I'm not complaining. Making food on my own was easy with a grocery store right next door, but it closed in January so now it's not as easy, but it's not bad. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I hope 5 globes means very safe, because I definitely felt safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | During weeks when I didn't travel I spent maybe 50Euros tops on food and going to the pub occasionally. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Hostels will really get you. Expect to pay at least 30Euros per night on housing wherever you go. Sometimes you can find cheaper places, but you're probably better of going with the more expensive choice in any case. More expensive usually means more comfortable. Also food gets more expensive when you're traveling unless you think ahead and pack a lot of non-perishable stuff. Going out to eat costs a lot in Europe. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Advanced |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I participated in a lot of events outside of the program. I got involved in a local church, joined a community choir, and hung out with my German floormates a lot. German class helped keep my grammar skills up to par, but it was talking in German and listening to German outside of the classroom which really improved my skills. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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