Study Abroad in Munich Past Review

By (Comparative Literature., Wellesley College) for

Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich: Munich - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Personally worthwhile (for fun and visits) academically so-so (some classes definitely worthwhile, others the point of showing up was almost just to sign the attendance sheet), German university experience certainly interesting.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+
The term and year this program took place: Spring 2010

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Some classes were well-taught and engaging, others not as much. This depended more on the professor than on what type of class it was (seminar or lecture).

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Administrative things are doable but hours are often limited for certain offices, and you have to be persistent in some cases. A few visits to various offices are necessary, and it's a good idea to plan in a couple extra days (to get additional documents, for example).

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Mix between a host family and apartment, lived with one other person as an "untermieter", sub-let I think in English. 20-30 minutes outside the city/university by subway. If I were here for longer I would find something different, but with limited time to look at and find somewhere to live, I was happy with this for 6 months. <br /><br /> Local 30-ish woman who worked (so neither student nor family).

* Food:

Home=good, cafeteria=not so good, so in total average.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Took a while to meet people.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* 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)

Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Munich is the most expensive city to live (and rent!!!) in in Germany. I knew this, but it is worth considering!!!

Language

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
Language acquisition improvement?

I was a native speaker coming over, I used the language more over here but can't really comment on this. Most people speak German usually but could probably speak English if they had to.

If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition?

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

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Other
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students

A Look Back

* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? Seriously consider going on a program for the following reasons: 1. Automatic group (of Americans, though) that you hang out with, 2. They take care of housing for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:

Der Historische Roman der Postmoderne

Course Department: Germanistik, 13659
Instructor: Erik Schilling
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Very interesting course with great readings and an enthusiastic professor (strictly speaking not yet a professor, but I am used to calling all college-level teachers that) who was very interested in discussion. This is really worth noting, as it wasn't the case in most of my other classes. I would highly recommend both the course and the professor.
Credit Transfer Issues: Don't yet know.
Course Name/Rating:

Deutsche Regionalliteraturen in Südosteuropa im Vergleich: Banat, Bukowina, Siebenbürgen (20. Jh.)

Course Department: Germanistik, 13654
Instructor: Stefan Sienerth, Prof. h. c. Dr.
Instruction Language: German
Comments: The course sounded interesting and really had the potential to be, I think, but the professor gave a very basic introduction into the geography/history and then gave the class over entirely to student presentations. Any literary analysis (and I thought this was a literature course?) will have to happen in my final paper alone.
Credit Transfer Issues: Don't yet know.
Course Name/Rating:

Venedig in der Englischen Literatur

Course Department: Anglistik, 13198
Instructor: Ruge, Enno , Dr. phil.
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Interesting lecture, but consists largely of plot-summaries of the works.
Credit Transfer Issues: Don't yet know.
Course Name/Rating:

Novellen

Course Department: Germanistik, 13606
Instructor: Pornschlegel
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Really good example of a lecture that is interesting, informative and actually goes into pertinent literary analysis. Would definitely recommend, at least to native speaker.
Credit Transfer Issues: Don't yet know.
Course Name/Rating:

Alltags-Surrealismus

Course Department: Germanistik/Komparatistik, 13088
Instructor: Hanuschek, Sven , Prof. Dr.
Instruction Language: German
Comments: Another good lecture, both interesting and informative (difficult to call a lecture "challenging" in itself, although unlike other students I will have to take an oral exam at the end of the semester, and cannot yet comment on that), as far as I know an unusual topic and all different kinds of material (short films, novels, some art, ...).
Credit Transfer Issues: Don't yet know.