First Growth Abroad Past Review
By A student (Berea College) - abroad from 03/01/2018 to 07/15/2018 with
KIIS: Regensburg - Experience Regensburg (Spring Semester)
Definitely worthwhile. The simplest answer to what i learned/gained was that I can adjust to life/work in new situations and I can understand/speak more German than I could if I stayed in the U.S.A.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The ability to focus on the German language and culture is something i would never be able to do while at my US institution. Most weeks the workload was not difficult and I had time to spend around the city or in my room. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Absolutely no complaints about on-site administration! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I had my own room and bathroom. A shared kitchen with 14 other students, but never a problem to cook when I am hungry. |
| * Food: |
Very happy with the food options that are here in Germany! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
My classes were based on learning the German language, so the students with me were other international students. As a result there was not interactions with local students on a daily basis. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
Thankfully I had no reason to require Healthcare. |
| * Safety: |
Several times I walked around 30 minutes to my dorm at 3am and never had a problem. I was always aware of my surroundings and at times would feel uncomfortable, but no incident ever happened. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
A beautiful city and a wonderful opportunity to learn in a city! |
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) |
When I cook my own food, I spend about 30 Euros per week, but a meal at a restaurant cost around 15 Euros at the minimum. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 50 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | It is very easy for students to go out every day the first weeks, but I recommend only going out once per week for the first two weeks. That way, it allows one to adjust to life abroad without spending too much money at first. Also see if someone wants to share kitchen cookware with you and it will help cut the cost! |
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? | Intermediate |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | A 2.2 |
| 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? | Do not be afraid to ask simple questions, because it will help build confidence for full conversations. |
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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| 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? | I have nothing to put here. This was my first trip abroad, so everything was new to me and I do not know how it will change my plans for later travel! |
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 Avid AdventurerThe wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal. |
