Study Abroad in Berlin Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Students have more say in class content; teachers asked students what they wanted to learn and also took discussions where the students wanted. Most of the classes were free-formed and dependent on student discussion, with the professor moderating. He would say a prompt and then let the students take over, interjecting once in a while. Sometimes it resulted in fascinating discussions; other times, it resulted in repetitive commentary. Professors also had differing philosophies when it came to office hours. Some were better at online correspondence than actual meetings (due to busy schedules). Others were very available to student questions and comments. The amount of time each class met also seemed astonishingly short. It was a more relaxed atmosphere than Wellesley.

On-site administration of your program

The BCGS staff consisted of Carmen, Katrin, and Brigit. Carmen was the permanent Freie liaison for the BCGS program, Katrin was a German professor at U of Chicago (her role is rotated each year I think, so each year a different professor from one of the consortium schools is selected), and Brigit was in charge of other office matters. Carmen and Katrin each taught one of the two mandatory BCGS courses that all students in the program had to take at least once (so the full year students only had to take one course for their entire time there). The BCGS course was good because it took into consideration our language obstacles-- students were sometimes more vocal in this course than in their other courses. However, these courses were mandatory and sometimes just not as interesting because you only had a choice between the two. But it must be said...Carmen is a wonderful wonderful person. =)

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I chose where to eat...the mensa provided affordable options but sometimes it was just too heavy. I was really addicted to their yogurt though... very very tasty and so affordable.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

There were a series of mandatory field trips: Berlinische Gallerie, Lutherstadt, Jewish memorial, etc. There was also a three-day excursion to Hamburg that was really fun-- sightseeing, museum-visiting, and some free time to hang out with other people in your program.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I ended up getting local health insurance because they said if I declined student health insurance now, I would never get it again (and at the time, I was considering grad school in Germany). It was a good precaution because I ended up getting into an accident, but I never actually went to see a doctor. Actually, one of the friends I made is a chiropractor and she has good opinions of the health system. More than that, I can't say.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The first month I lived in a host family; we conversed daily in German. After that I found a WG and lived with two Germans. We hung around and spoke in German most of the time. At the university, I spoke in German. However, when I was with the other people in my program, we usually spoke in English. I had a lot of German friends who didn't mind speaking to me in German but I think most of the time I was still speaking in English.

Select all that apply

• Host Family
• Apartment

Select all that apply

• Local Students
• Host Family

Select all that apply

• Local Students