Berlin, An Amazing City Past Review
By A student (International Relations, German, Austin College) - abroad from 08/28/2012 to 12/13/2012 with
IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
I learned how to get around a big city, improve my German vastly. I learned so many things they are hard to list. It is definitely worthwhile!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Be prepared for classes to intense and to put work into them. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
I made my own meals so I thought it was good. The supermarket was really close. My host family did cook dinner for me once and my breakfast for me a few times. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We were only with American students if you do only a semester. I wish we had more chances to interact with other German students. Overall I felt pretty integrated. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Berlin is a really safe city. There are some areas that should be avoided at night when by yourself but the program directors will let you know which areas they are. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | About 50 euro, maybe a bit more depending on what I needed |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| 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? | 202 German (Intermediate) |
| 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? | Keep speaking German and don't let yourself become intimidated. You will improve as time goes along. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you take classes with?
Select all that apply |
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| 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? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | I knew a good amount going in. |
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 Academic or LinguistYou went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you! |
