Summer in Potsdam January 02, 2024

By (Architecture, Middlebury College) - abroad from 03/28/2023 to 07/31/2023 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Potsdam

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
My language schools improved greatly and I had a lot of time to explore Berlin and Potsdam and to enjoy the summer which was nice.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Middlebury program provided good support with the tutors and I felt like I always had someone to ask questions to. My language skills definitely improved a lot.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

The administration was good in helping us get settled and helping us with all the bureaucratic parts of living in Germany.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I wish it had been closer to the inner city or to my classes but it was clean and quiet so I'm pretty satisfied

* 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)

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? Intermediate
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Advanced

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
  • N/A
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Freedom
  • Flexible schedule
  • Support
* What could be improved?
  • Group activities
  • Housing - proximity to others in the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? At German universities the final paper is really all that matters academically and you won't learn that much in class

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 Academic or Linguist
You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Migration of Women

Course Department: Sociology
Instructor: Edith Pichler
Instruction Language: German
Comments: I didn't learn much that I couldn't have guessed by myself and the professor didn't really teach. Every class someone would give a presentation on the theme and then we would discuss.
Credit Transfer Issues: No