Great Experience Overall Past Review
By Brandon (Colby College) - abroad from 02/24/2016 to 07/23/2016 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - Language & Area Studies
This program really helped me, to improve my German and to gain a much better understanding of Freiburg's unique culture. By the program's end I felt very comfortable in Freiburg and had formed strong friendships with local Freiburgers, international non US students, and other American students.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 6 months+ |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academics were good overall, but there was a lack of specificity in certain subjects. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Excellent! The staff was both friendly and knowledgeable. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The area I stayed in granted me a unique perspective of life in Freiburg. |
| * Food: |
I was cooking for myself most of the time, so it was mostly dependent upon me. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
Very much so--by the end of the program, I had formed strong friendships with a number of locals, and many of the things that struck me as odd when I arrived had become second nature to me. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The program really streamlined the process and I found it accessible and effective. |
| * Safety: |
The program was excellent about safety. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
This program is well balanced, in that it has a good mix of academics and cultural/ social activities. The staff is great and very willing to help. |
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) |
Budgeting was difficult, but I learned as I went along. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30-50 Euro |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | If you have to justify buying it, you probably don't need it. |
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 |
Much of the time, we were required 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? | I am unsure how to answer--I had been studying the language intensively for 2.5 years when I arrived. |
| 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? | Use the language even if you're not comfortable doing so. Everyone makes mistakes, but the more you speak, the fewer you will make. |
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? | I found the logistical academic process difficult to navigate. I have rather a narrow academic focus, and finding classes that fit it was challenging. The area in which this program truly shine is in helping students to gain fluency in language and culture. And while I found it was these two things that allowed me to navigate the process to the extent I was able, I wish I had known about it before going on this program. That being said, the IES staff members were approachable and knowledgeable and helped me to the best of their abilities. |
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! |
