Jacobs is fun, but difficult Past Review
By Chandler John Shannon (Washington State University) - abroad from 01/29/2016 to 05/30/2016 with
Jacobs University: Bremen - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned very little academically, but I gained a global perspective and many friends. Ultimately it was worth it entirely.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The educators care about your education. Be prepared to change the way you learn as it is very self guided. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The international office was Amazing. Yuliya cares about the safety of the students there and was always very polite when dealing with students. The same can be said of the rest of the staff excluding one notable individual. The head of housing was the most disrespectful person I have ever had to deal with in any academic or professional sense in my entire life. Luckily, I did not have to deal with this person for very long as I only needed to get one signature from him the entire time I was there. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The housing was amazing. Apartment style for privacy and your roommate is always from a different major and country. Amazing |
| * Food: |
The food was better than typical dorm food you find in America, but I cannot say that it was good food by any measure. it was okay. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made so many good friends. I learned so much about the German people. I was so very integrated. It was wonderful. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
The German socialized healthcare is wonderful. |
| * Safety: |
Bremen is a fairly large city with a small town feel. Crime is light and if you stay to well lit places at night you should have no problems with safety. The same rules would apply for any city in America. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The education is not what is important. It is the people you meet. The friends I made over there are truly good people and I wouldn't exchange that friendship for the world. |
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? | 60 USD |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Ryanair is a great way to get around the continent. |
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 |
The use of the language was not required and using the language was not encouraged by the instructor, but my friends made me order at restaurants and practice with them. |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | Beginner |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | none |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
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? | 10+ |
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 wish I knew how differently science and math classes are taught in Germany. |
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.' |
