Overwhelmingly amazing and full of personal growth Past Review

By (Saint Anselm College) - abroad from 08/29/2016 to 12/17/2016 with

IES Abroad: Freiburg - Language & Area Studies

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Very worthwhile. I gained lifelong friends, had once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and grew exponentially on a personal level.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

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

It was excellent.

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)

Very easy! Groceries are cheap in Germany.

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? about 30 Euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Buy Train tickets at least 3-4 days in advance

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? German Semester IV
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? Speak German as much as possible!

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* 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?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Academic rigor
  • Free time
  • Atmosphere of city
* What could be improved?
  • How the classes clash in terms of amounts of work
  • More paper writing help
  • More grammar drills
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Pack warm clothes! Is gets cold come November and December. (Or be prepared to buy a nice jacket there)

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 Blazer
Craving 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.'