A great, travel-intensive politics program! Past Review
By A student (University of Virginia) - abroad from 01/09/2018 to 05/09/2018 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - European Union
I gained a lot of independence and the confidence that I could navigate myself throughout Europe. I also learned what it was like to live in a completely different culture and country, which is extremely important.
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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The program had a perfect amount of travel, and allowed me to use and practice my German. The courses fit with my major very well and I loved studying in Freiburg. |
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) |
It was relatively easy to eat cheaply when I was in Freiburg, but when we went out on excursions and had to eat out every night, it could get a little more expensive! |
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 |
The program gave us resources and encouragement to speak German, but we were not required to speak German in the institute or on excursions. |
| 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 2010 |
| 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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| 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? | I wish I had known that most of the people who choose this program come primarily for academics (politics and economics) rather than for German. For someone whose primary goal is to learn or increase their fluency in German, they would be better off choosing a more language intensive program. However it is perfect for those interested in politics who want some exposure to German! |
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! |
