FU-BEST: Go to Berlin, but DO NOT go on this program Past Review
By Clare M (Art History, Criticism and Conservation., Barnard College) for
FU-BEST: Berlin - European Studies Program
Yes, but only because Berlin is amazing.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The program was lead by an over-bearing, single-minded man, who detracted from my experience abroad. I would suggest Berlin to any student, but I would advise away from my program each time. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was so terrible, that I had to move out immediately, find a new place, and pay double rent. During the semester many students were robbed in the housing. I would never recommend anyone living in the housing. Many other students moved out as well. |
| * Food: |
n/a |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Our trip to London was unrelated to the program, expensive, boring and not worth while. The director also planned a boring trip. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Berlin was perfectly safe, but the program housing was far from it. |
| 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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | n/a |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | Intermediate 1 |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
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Other Program Information
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | DO NOT GO ON FU-BEST |
