Such a Blessing! Past Review
By Ashlyn K (German and English, Wofford College) - abroad from 08/21/2013 to 12/19/2013 with
IES Abroad: Vienna - Study Abroad With IES Abroad
It's impossible to write everything I learned and how I changed in one paragraph! My time abraod was such a blessing and I would do it again in a heart beat. I had the wonderful opportunity to see the world in a different light, explore my interests and expand my outlooks. Nothing compares to going abroad!
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 academic intensity wasn't overly challenging, but it also wasn't easy. If you've never taken German before then the German language class might be a bit difficult for you, but the staff was great at working with the students to make sure they achieved their goals. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The entire IES staff was extreemly informative adn helpful in all situations. They were constantly available and there to help out! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a very nice large villa will tons of space and my own room. The 2 down side to this were that the wifi had lots of issues and that it was about 40 minutes from the IES center. Overall it was pretty great though! |
| * Food: |
Delicious! And Vienna is known for its Coffee Houses. On every street you will find a cute cafe or coffee house that not only offers amazing coffees, but most of whihc also serve great local dishes. The downside is that eatign out in Vienna is not cheap anywhere. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I felt pretty integrated because I took the initiative to go out and do things in the culture like join a cheerleadign squad, take tumbling classes, and work at a local kindergarten. This put me right in the middle of lots of Austrians so I had the wonderful opportunity of making some great new friends. Lots of my American piers did not get very involved though because they jsut didn't want to. This part of the program is what you want to make of it! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I felt down some stairs adn tqisted my ankle so I had to go to the hospital to get it looked at. The process was easy and IES goes with you incase there is an issue. Everything went well! |
| * Safety: |
Never once felt unsafe, not even when I came home alone one night around 3 am. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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 tough. You spend about $850 - $1000 a month, and that was tight. Vienna is not a chepa place to live. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | $150-$250 |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Do not eat out a lot. Buy groceries and learn to cook! |
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 |
You had to use German in your German language class, but, if you weren't taking any other German taught classes, then you never had to use it outside of class. |
| 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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 102 German |
| 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? | Get involved in the culture. Meet locals and only speak German with them, even if they speak english! |
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? | The German language class is graded on the Austrian scale, not the American one. No one was able to tell me wether or not my grade was rescalled when it was transfered back to America. Still not clear about it sall, but in the long run it's not a huge deal. Also, DO NOT pack a ton! Leave room in your suitecase to bring things home! |
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.' |
