My Life Abroad Past Review
By Brian (Susquehanna University) - abroad from 08/29/2018 to 12/15/2018 with
IES Abroad: Freiburg - Language & Area Studies
I learned lots of geography from all my travel, but most importantly I learned about the language and culture which is what I was there for. I experienced another part of the world and that is priceless.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The classes were thorough and the teachers were extremely accommodating with regards to the language learning experience. |
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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 enjoyed having the privacy of my own room but also sharing a kitchen with Germans. That helped me build friendships and practice the language. |
| * Food: |
There were many different options for food. The student cafeteria always had amazing food for cheap prices! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I enjoyed doing things in Freiburg but it is a struggle to meet large groups of natives and form strong friendships with them. However I did make some good German friends! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
We had seminars about safety and were given many resources to help us be informed and safe. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
IES was extremely supportive and provided great resources to get involved and learn the language. |
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) |
I found the student cafeteria a great cheap options with really good food. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | probably around $150 a week |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook meals yourself! Learn how to make meals. Buying ingredients at the store and cooking yourself is cheaper than going out every night. |
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 |
They encouraged us to speak German all the time, however I found that they were not strict on enforcing that rule and many people did not. |
| 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 believe I had to have 2 college semesters of German |
| 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? | Do not follow the crowd! Most people in my program and in others that I've seen do not want to speak the language outside of when is necessary. Find a good crowd of dedicated people, native speakers or otherwise (although native speakers are ideal) and stick with them! Go to clubs, and events, and talk to people in public places! Embrace the language and you will see great improvement! |
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 know now how fast it goes by and I would have gotten involved with more things sooner. |
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! |
