Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The Trip that Decided the Rest of My Life Past Review

By (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 06/06/2017 to 07/21/2017 with

IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how much I love the country as a whole and their culture. I have always wanted to go there, but now I am trying to do everything I can to finish my studies there in either Biochemistry or Medicine and eventually live there.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

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?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

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

Berlin was a beautiful city and the staff were very friendly. I did not hear of anyone having a bad experience with a homestay and I still had opportunities I did not use during my stay in Berlin.

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? About 90 Euros
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Go to the grocery store and buy breakfast foods and snacks. If you have the ability to cook, buy stuff to cook meals. I generally spent the same amount of money for 4 days of food and snacks as I did eating out once.

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

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? GER 3011
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? Just keep talking in German as long as you know what to say. Don't be afraid to try even if the other person responds in English, just keep trying to speak German.

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?
  • The size of the classes
  • The location of the study abroad center
  • The city!!
* What could be improved?
  • Integration with local students
  • Class meeting times
  • Availability of classes
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? That even though being on your own is scary in a foreign country, you learn a lot about yourself and how much you know about the language.

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 Linguist
You 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!