A Year Abroad is a Life Learning Experience Past Review

By (Dickinson College) - abroad from 10/08/2010 to 08/04/2011 with

Dickinson College: Bremen - University of Bremen

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to live more independently and to be more comfortable with myself and in new atmospheres. I greatly improved my language skills and enjoyed the new challenges.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 Euro - from stipend
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Cook at home

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? Advanced
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Fluent
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? B1/B2 ?
How many hours per day did you use the language?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • International Students
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?
  • taking classes in German
  • the program excursions
  • the length
* What could be improved?
  • it would be nice to have the option to live with Germans
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I would've taken a language course during my first semester at Uni Bremen.