My adventure in Europe Past Review

By (International Management, Hamline University) for

Hamline University: Cologne - Cologne Business School

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I participated in more than 4 other study abroads so I have a high expectation. I felt that this program did not meet my expectation so much However, I grateful that this program is very relax so I was able to travel alot. In every country, I tried not to stay in hotel/ hostel but to stay with local and share experiences with them. It was a truely lifetime experience for me

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.

I like my teachers in all of the classes I took at Cologne Business school in general. I don't like the school facilities which is outdated and slow computer , the student organization did not have as much activities as my home school has. The international student office was not that good and I was not feel the friendliness and welcome as I felt in Hamline University International Student office. I do not like the school system I attended when I was abroad. Less than 1 week before the class start I still did not know when I will have class because the teacher still did not decide on the class date which made things very difficult for planning. The program said that the there is an option for Internship but only when I arrived to the program I realized how impossible it will apply for me.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Again, the International Student Office at CBS was only O.K My program supervisor had some flexible in resolve problem , encouraging but I dont like all of his program and planning. I think I would like program be planned well ahead. I would like some field trip that is outside of the city if it is possible.

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

They are an O.K family. I dont really like a house with 3 small children under 10 that noisy all the time. I had issue with communication with host mom who speak very little English . I felt that they tried to make effort to make me felt comfortable like a family member.

* Food:

My host family eat bread 2 times a week , almost the same bread and cheese for weeks which make me felt like I dont have enough nutrition for my body. If you like me who like to have hot meals as least for 2 times a day, make sure to write it in your request.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I like the Carnaval. It is very fun especially if you have host or know someone who also participate in Carnaval. There is one week long break for the carnaval so I would recomend also take a look of how carnaval in other countries near by like Italy or Swizeland I often traveled and met local in the weekend . I felt that it is very important because it makes me more comfortable with European culture

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

The program is pretty safe.

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

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)

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
Language acquisition improvement?

The begin German class the female teacher did not speak any English at all which made things very difficult . At the beginning level when students have almost no experience with German , have a teacher that do not speak almost no English make things impossible to study well or even have any ethusiatic in the language class. My 2 first weeks in German class was a waste. My second German teacher did a better job. The textbook was not even recomended by my second teacher. I felt lucky that I dont have to pay for the textbook because it is such a confusing and not useful at all.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family