An Unforgettable Year in Beautiful Munich Past Review

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

I found the courses to be easier than Wellesley courses, but still a valuable part of my education.

On-site administration of your program

I had a few qualms with the administrators of the program, but overall it is good. They clearly work very hard to provide students a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

I stayed in a recently renovated dorm in the student city. It was about a 10 minute subway ride from the university and central Munich. It was also directly on the English Garden, a beautiful location.

There are communal kitchens in the dormitories and students must prepare all their own food.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

It's always tough to integrate with the local culture, but the program makes a valiant effort to help with this by assigning students native German mentors and housing students among German and international students.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

Health care costs are 100% covered, even prescriptions. Getting in to see a doctor is very quick and easy.

Munich is an extremely safe city. You can walk around alone at night if you want.

This program has incredible teachers and really stands out in their efforts to foster community. There is always someone to help for any issue you might have, and no reason to feel lonely. Although I am not fluent, my German improved a lot. I made really close bonds with some other Americans in the program and will never forget those friendships. Munich is a beautiful and safe city with so much to do.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Some people discouraged me from studying in Munich because it's an expensive city. The truth is that Munich is expensive compared to other German cities, but I still found the cost of living much lower than Boston or other U.S. cities. An unlimited public transit ticket for the semester is around 200 euro, and spending 30 euro a week at the discount supermarket got me plenty of healthy and tasty food. I found restaurant costs to be comparable to the U.S. and groceries to be much cheaper. Clothing and other products were comparable or more expensive, but there are affordable options. Hostels, budget airlines and bus carriers make travel much more affordable than in the US. The fact that the program provides housing makes Munich affordable (housing prices are otherwise extremely inflated due to the housing crisis...everyone wants to live there because it's a great city!). That said, if you're not used to budgeting for food and transportation, it will seem expensive regardless.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

At the beginning of the semester, students work together to write a contract specifying when they will speak German. I don't think anyone followed it. We were required to speak German only in class and at program events. I didn't speak German at home or with my friends.

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• Dorm

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

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• Local Students
• Americans
• International Students

• Enthusiasm/dedication of teachers
• sense of community
• location

• administration shouldn't treat students as children (class attendance, chastising for not responding to emails quickly enough, etc.)
• variety of classes we're allowed to take at the university

The Avid Adventurer