A roller coaster ride of emotions that was well worth it in the end. Past Review
By A student (Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics., Presbyterian College) - abroad from 03/01/2012 to 08/01/2012 with
Karlsruhe University of Education: Karlsruhe - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
I learned a lot about myself and my relationships back home. Some weeks were much harder than others, but I feel much more independent. Before coming here I had no idea what I wanted to do in life, and I am very sure now. Its hard only really having all the international students as friends because we all speak English together, but relationships form and break and feelings get hurt. We are not as close as before and that caused a lot of added stress and drama. In the end I've grown as a person and met a lot of incredible people that really touched my heart, and it was definitely worthwhile.
Review Photos
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. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
The office hours were very inconvenient and infrequent. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The room was big, but there was constant construction replacing the heating unit in my room, which left me with no where to go from 7 am until 6:30 PM many days. |
| * Food: |
The food here is incredible, however I was not on meal plan. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I made many many German and European friends, but none of them were from the PH or any of my classes or from my building. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
I never saw a doctor, even though I should have a few times because it is very intimidating, off campus, and hard to find an English speaking doctor. |
| * Safety: |
I never felt threatened walking home alone at night. |
| 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) |
Living abroad is always expensive. |
| * Was housing included in your program cost? | No |
| * Was food included in your program cost? | No |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | a whole darn lot |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Make a budget system as soon as you get there! |
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 |
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| 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? | third level out of four |
| 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? | Watch tv in that language, it is the best way to learn. Also, get a tandem partner in your host country that you only talk the foreign language with. |
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?
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? | No matter how outgoing you are, being in a country far away from home is very hard. I wish I had know this school was for learning to become a teacher. I am not trying to be a teacher, but most all classes are that way. I also wish that I had gotten closer with the locals living on my floor. |
