Time of my life Past Review

By (The College of New Jersey) - abroad from 01/02/2019 to 05/10/2019 with

European Study Center: Heidelberg - Summer Program in the EU

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how to be independent and learned a lot about myself. Being thrown into stressful situations helps you grow mentally and you become more outgoing through meeting others and not being afraid to approach others. 100% worthwhile!

Review Photos

European Study Center: Heidelberg - Summer Program in the EU Photo European Study Center: Heidelberg - Summer Program in the EU Photo European Study Center: Heidelberg - Summer Program in the EU Photo European Study Center: Heidelberg - Summer Program in the EU Photo European Study Center: Heidelberg - Summer Program in the EU Photo

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 0-2 weeks

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?

Big rooms with good views of Heidelberg

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Easy to explore Heidelberg

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I chipped my tooth one of the first days here and dentists were easily accessible and the staff at the ESC was very helpful in scheduling an appointment and also came with me to make sure I knew how to get there.

* Safety:

ESC is in a very safe neighborhood

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

The ESC is nice because it takes you on excursions and through them I was able to see things I most likely would not of seen.

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)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 60 Euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Save as much as you can before you come

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

Encouraged us to use the German we know but was not mandatory

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
How many hours per day did you use the language? 0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? Learn from the locals and pick up on their phrases

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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Excursions
  • Great location
  • friendly and helpful staff
* What could be improved?
  • Administration
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew more German so that I could communicate with more people.