Best decision I have ever made Past Review
By Alyssa Solis (University of the Incarnate Word) - abroad from 01/09/2017 to 05/13/2017 with
European Study Center: Heidelberg - Study Abroad in the EU
I learned a lot about myself, and how to live with other people. I learned to adapt to any situation and to get around myself. I became more extravert and socially adapting to other cultures. I learned the language and have a better understanding of many cultures. I learned how to travel to other countries on my own. This program taught me how to grow and become 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. |
Intensity isn't as high, but the classes are easy going. The professors are helpful |
|
* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration sometimes wasn't organized, and or helpful in certain situations. Though this only pertains to only few of the administrators while the rest were very friendly, helpful, and great people. |
|
* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
This was more like castle living, while the house was extravagant. Its an older house so of course there were a couple maintenance issues but they were fixed. The rooms were very nice, with a great view in every window. Perfect place for students |
| * Food: |
Food is at your own cost. They have a kitchen that supplies everything and are pretty spacious. Grocery stores are right down the street, with transportation right by the house. |
|
* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt very integrated because of living in a actual german neighborhood. You live the german lifestyle which is so interesting. Its a great cultural experience. |
|
* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never had to go to the doctor or hospital though a few peers have and said it was a good experience. Heidelberg actually has the best care providers, and hospitals. It may be a little more expensive to retrieve medicine, but they usually helped the students. I didn't hear any bad things. |
| * Safety: |
Overall one of the safest places. Yet, its always recommended you go in pairs, because you never know what could happen. Though, its usually never a problem, its very safe in my opinion. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The people I met in this program became family, and just the area we lived in felt like home. The experiences I had were unforgettable, and was an overall fun exciting time. The people made it great, and the city was breathtaking. I recommend this to everyone. |
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 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
Budgeting was probably the hardest aspect of study abroad. Depending if you're traveling other countries, that part can be the reason of overspending. Though if you don't plan on traveling a lot, budgeting is pretty easy. Groceries in Germany are actually very cheap. You can get 3 days worth of groceries for 20 euros easily. Usually the ESC gives a 3 day transportation pass the first day, and also provides a great welcome german meal. ESC also pays for all excursions, which are every Wednesday. Though is still can be pricey depending on the things you want to do. Just really save up as much as possible. I would definitely say 3 to about 80$ a week. Thats if your getting groceries and go out to eat twice for example. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | about 60 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Definitely have a savings account set up. A lot of students actually went with credit cards so that they have a little more spending. Though credit cards are not big in Europe, they are still accepted in some places. Make sure you save a little extra because of the conversion rates, euro is worth more. If you want to take out 50 euros, it will be about 54 US dollars. So its always good to have a little more saved up. |
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 |
They encouraged us frequently since cleaning staff only spoke german, and because its our host country. At first the staff gave a little practice and sheet on German greetings and how to order foods so that its not as hard for the students to get around. |
| 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 |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | German I at Incarnate Word |
| 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? | Definitely hang around German speakers. There are many German students our age that speak both german and english. Watching German films and watching subtitles is also helpful. The staff in the house can also help with any questions on the language since they mostly are all German. Or German speakers. |
Other Program Information
|
* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
|
|
* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
|
| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
|
| * What could be improved? |
|
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | unlimited data! I wish I could of switched to a phone company with unlimited data and the international plan because its helpful to have when you need maps to guide you around or to search local places to eat. Its definitely good to have. |
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. |
