Fantastic Freiburg! Past Review
By A student (Political Science and Government, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/02/2014 to 12/20/2014 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union
I really enjoyed the program. Freiburg is a great place. You will learn so much about German culture - it's a great immersion experience. Although in order to enhance your German, you must take the personal initiative and practice with locals. Classes were not difficult, but the course material was very interesting. Traveling with the program was also very fun, and learning about the EU by visiting government officials, ambassadors, etc. all over Europe was a unique experience. Freiburg itself is, quite literally, in the center of Europe. Access to other countries is so easy using the train, and even flying. Take advantage of the location!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Some of the courses I really enjoyed, while others not as much. The courses were not difficult, but I did enjoy a lot of the course material. Resources were not always readily available, but if you sought them out, the professors/administration would help. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration was always very helpful and organized. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I absolutely loved my living arrangements. I lived on Charlottenburger Straße. My flatmates were extremely nice and the flat was always very clean. |
| * Food: |
I bought and cooked all my own food. Groceries were not very expensive. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The administration provided a lot of material on the local culture and other opportunities/events to truly experience Freiburg. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Freiburg is an extremely safe city. |
| 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? | Cook your own food! |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I had never taken the language before. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Really get to spend time in Freiburg. Even though it's tempting to travel to other cities and countries, Freiburg itself is a very special city. |
Reasons For Studying Abroad
| To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you. |
The Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
