Jacobs University: Go for the Courses, Stay for the People Past Review
By Rebecca M (Chemistry., Wellesley College) for
Jacobs University: Bremen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
If I could have met the same people elsewhere, I would choose a different program if I did it all over again. I really value the relationships I made with some of the exchange students and transfer students. It was nice that all of us were able to experience Jacobs for the first time together.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 1 month - 6 months |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Compared to my university, the workload was relatively light. My chemistry courses are typically lab-heavy and for the two chemistry courses I took there labs were not offered. The failing grade at Jacobs is quite low so there is no stress of failing while at the university. Many of the humanities courses were lecture based instead of discussion based and only reiterated the day's material rather than a more in-depth explanation. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The administration were very responsive to me, but I noticed that they weren't as accessible for their own students. Their international studies coordinator, Irene, was also extremely helpful and sought to make us comfortable and settled. She was very helpful and easily approachable; she also responded to emails promptly, which was very convenient. One incident did occur that was utterly unacceptable. I was leaving Jacobs early and moved two of my exams to the Thursday and Friday before my flight (I left on a Saturday). I was notified late Tuesday or early Wednesday that they would not check my room on a Saturday and couldn't wait until Monday. Therefore, I needed to be moved out by Friday morning at 7 am. (I had exams Wednesday afternoon, Thursday afternoon, and Friday morning.) I finished studying for my Wednesday exam, packed and tried to studied for my Thursday one in between laundry and packing. Packed all Thursday, didn't have the time to study further and did poorly on the Thursday exam. Packed through the night, finished packing on time, but wasn't able to study for my Friday exam. The Thursday and Friday exams were for my major. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Down comforter and pillow provided. You need to bring sheets and an ethernet cable, outside of the normal requirements: clothes, toiletries, decorations. The dorm is on campus and quite safe. If you're not careful, you'll find yourself staying on campus rather than venturing out into Bremen or even Vegesack (the neighboring town). Watch out! |
| * Food: |
It's dorm food. Edible but not extraordinary. Did have some nice culinary surprises though. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The international coordinator took us into Bremen for the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market) and the mini Oktoberfest (Freimarkt). |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
No issues with safety or health. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | It ranged depending on where I was (i.e. whether traveling or not) but while in Bremen I spent probably about 30-50 euros on food and drink. When in Berlin or Hamburg, I spent much more. When traveling out of the country even more. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | There were no unanticipated expenses, but be aware that the Deustche Bahn trains are quite expensive. |
Language
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Direct Enrollment |
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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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? | Students with an open mind definitely get more out of being abroad. Cheesy and cliche, I know, but true. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
German A1.1 |
| Course Department: | |
| Instructor: | Doris Mosbach |
| Instruction Language: | German |
| Comments: | Despite the fact this was only a 2.5 ECTS course, this was my favorite and most valuable course. Doris is engaging and thorough. She really strives for her students to pick up German efficiently and quickly. Nothing but rave reviews for her course. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | First off, to get credit at Wellesley, the ECTS needs to be increased from 2.5 to 4 in order to transfer any credit. Also, to be able to enter into the next German course at Wellesley, more instruction is necessary (they have a functional focus while Wellesley has a grammatical focus). |
