great! (after adjustment period) September 08, 2023
By A student (Liberal Arts, General Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 02/01/2023 to 05/22/2023 with
Bard College: Berlin - Semester or year at Bard College Berlin
I learned how to live independently and explore a new city on my own.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The program was lacking in intensity and some of the professors seemed ill-equipped to teach the courses they were responsible for. However, I learned a ton from just being in class with such a diverse group of students and meeting people from all over the world. BCB is a small program with fewer resources than my home institution, so it was hard to adjust to a different caliber of learning. Once I did, though, it became very enjoyable and Berlin is an amazing city and so fun to explore. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
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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: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
I would choose a program where I knew people, or where everyone else didn't know each other. My program was filled with small groups who already knew each other from Bard College in NY. |
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) |
The food was not good at all, so I ended up spending more than expected on groceries. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 100 euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Try to eat the food, even though it is really bad. It will save you a lot of money. |
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? | none |
| 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? | Ask other students to practice with you, try to read signs around berlin, and use what you can when ordering food, etc. |
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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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? | That everyone there would already know each other and that the campus is located in a suburb, not the inner 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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
