'schland, oh 'schland--why did I come back? Past Review
By Lauren H (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Presbyterian College) for
Karlsruhe University of Education: Karlsruhe - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
It changed me as a person. It's hard to look back now, being so far removed from Karlsruhe and semi-integrated into Presbyterian community; but when I do think of the streets I walked, the people I met, the things I saw, I can't replace that feeling. I left unsure about life, who I was, what I cared about. Being there was like looking in the mirror for the first time, wiping the filmy layer of everyone's expectations and pressures away to see a new person standing before me.
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. |
I preferred weekly class meeting with lower work loads. Stress is a killer in American society. I had worries at first about not doing much work, feeling like I may be slacking. But in the end it helped my independent thought and creative potential to really flow. I wasn't being indoctrinated like I am at PC; I was learning on my own. The professors were not emotionally attached; it was up to me to learn. This seemed cold at first, but it creates a unique atmosphere in the student body. It's you, the student, versus the institution. The student body was really independent and involved with each other. They worked hard, too. |
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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? |
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| * Food: |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The social atmosphere is very alive and welcoming. There were always things to do and people to meet. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
German's have an incredible health-care system. I had to enter the hospital for three days because of a concussion; my German friend brought me there and worked out my paperwork for me. I only paid 10 euros overall. |
| 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) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Far too much. You can eat and live very cheaply, if you're good with money. Once i had calmed down and became settled, after June, I could live on 50 euros a week, not including rent and insurance. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Buy a Bahncard 50 if you plan on traveling. Book Ryanair flights at least 3 weeks in advance (you'll save 30-50 Euros that way). Traveling the most expensive thing I did. And learn to make stew; it'll last you several days. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | 101--entry level |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I used German in most of my interactions in the city. I only spoke English to my friends. |
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?
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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 do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | A student interested in travel, teaching, and drinking beer. At least those are the things I care about and found there. And be sure to make friends with the guys who work at Scruffy's.... |
