Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Fun! Past Review

By (The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 01/05/2017 to 05/13/2017 with

European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned to be more independent.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

It was not particularly up to the standards of TCNJ classes, but if the classes were more rigorous, I would not have been able to travel and fully experience the city of Heidelberg.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

I just felt like everything was very disorganized.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

It was really close to everything! However, the house itself had a bunch of bug problems and the heater barely worked.

* Food:

I wish we had a food plan.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I did not integrate with the German culture at all because I did not make any German friends nor did we have opportunities to make German friends, or even really meet German people in general!

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

It was really hard for me to get an obgyn appointment.

* Safety:

Heidelberg was very safe--I always felt really comfortable walking around at night by myself. However, some of the refugees would get very aggressive sometimes.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

I would find a more immersive program.

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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? JUst budget really well and plan trips ahead.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • I love the city
* What could be improved?
  • make more german friends
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? GERMAN and how to make german friends

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 Urbanite
A 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.