Good experience in a supportive environment Past Review
By A student (Haverford College) - abroad from 08/21/2019 to 12/14/2019 with
IES Abroad: Berlin - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
yes see above question
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. |
The program was not very academically intense - this was good given the other stresses of living abroad and taking classes in a foreign language |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Very organized |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The "home-stay" I was a part of was what you might imagine with a family... It was more like living with someone who needs a roommate. |
| * Food: |
Students are responsible for their own food, but there's plenty to eat in Berlin |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Student assistants were very helpful |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Easily accessible and I received great support from the program |
| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
I felt like I got what I wanted to from the experience. I greatly improved my language abilities, got to know the culture better than I expected, and met a number of people who changed my viewpoint. |
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? | A little over $100... I was frugal, but this could probably be even lower |
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 |
All classes were conducted in German - English was used more by some professors than others |
| 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 Film seminar |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 10+ |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go on dating apps, join sports teams, get to know locals. Just talk. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| 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? |
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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? | Grading is not very harsh - it's not worth stressing out over assignments too much |
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! |
