A year in Berlin Past Review

By (German Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 09/21/2011 to 07/14/2012 with

Middlebury Language Schools: German Language School

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I know a lot more about Berlin/German culture and society, which is knowledge that can only be gained by experiencing it firsthand.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Speaking the language definitely helped me feel integrated to some extent, but being a visible minority meant that I was often automatically treated as an outsider by locals.

* 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)

* Was housing included in your program cost? No
* Was food included in your program cost? No

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

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

We were bound by the language pledge.

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? 239
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? Speak it as often as possible, listen to the radio

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Dorm
  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • International Students
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Local Students
  • Americans
  • International Students
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?
  • Living in the city Berlin itself
  • Cultural trips to Weimar
  • Getting funding and support for additional cultural projects and activities
* What could be improved?
  • The orientation and Cultural Portfolio (which we had to do over two semesters) involved too much rehashing of the same topics.
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? -