Great! Would go back in a heart beat. Past Review
By Christina H (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/01/2015 to 12/04/2015 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union
Absolutely worth it and I learned a lot about myself as an American in a foreign country.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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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? |
I was placed in the new, modern option. |
| * Food: |
I cooked for myself and paid for my meals outside of program events. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The workshops provided weren't that helpful but Freiburg is an amazing place with great vibes. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Freiburg is probably the safest you can get. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The amount of traveling in this program is ridiculous. The exposure you'll have to different cultures and countries is unbeatable. |
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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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Learn to cook for yourself. Take advantage of the farmer's market for 'luxury' goods and budget stores like Aldi for essentials. Don't get sucked into big supermarkets. |
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 |
'German Fridays' were when the administration would speak only in German to us (not the teachers). |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | GER101 |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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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? | Learn how what you need in order to bounce back from traveling. Take extra time to engage with local students. |
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 Nearly Native or Trail BlazerCraving the most authentic experience possible, perhaps you lived with a host family or really got in good with the locals. You may have felt confined by your program requirements and group excursions. Instead, you'd have preferred to plan your own trips, even skipping class to conduct your own 'field work.' |
