Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A semester at a German university in Munich Past Review

By (German/Biology, Wellesley College) - abroad from 04/16/2012 to 07/30/2012 with

Wayne State University: Junior Year in Munich

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I feel like I'm more adaptable to different learning situations and more independent.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Ludwig Maximilian's University Wayne State in Munich
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I chose not to live in the provided student housing.

* 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)

Munich is an expensive city and I usually didn't eat in the student dining halls.

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? approx 200-250 euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't go shopping. Find discount grocery stores. Eat lunch, not dinner in restaurants

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? Fluent
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? A two 300 level courses in German
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? make friends with locals and get an internship/job that forces you to speak in the language

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I liked that I had direct access to the university as a directly enrolled student.
  • I liked being close to home
  • I liked the range of English and German courses i was able to take.
* What could be improved?
  • nothing worth noting
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How difficult it would be to be in school April-July (for summer internship purposes).