One of the Most Challenging and Rewarding Parts of My Studies Past Review

By A student (Middlebury College) - abroad from 04/08/2019 to 07/19/2019 with

Middlebury Schools Abroad: Middlebury in Potsdam

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I had a great experience during my time abroad. I found that it was definitely worthwhile and would study through the same program if I was to do it again. I think one of the most important parts of the program is the freedom that it gives to students to explore what the host universities have to offer in terms of course offerings, extracurriculars, and programs. Through this I was able to improve my German language skills and learn about the culture that I was in, all according to what I was interested in and while pushing myself to places appropriately outside of my comfort zone.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	2 weeks - 1 month

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?
* 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)

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
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?	300-level courses taught in German
How many hours per day did you use the language?	10+

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Local Students International Students
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Local 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?	Freedom given to students Opportunities to practice and improve language skills Large number of course offerings on topics not available at home college
* What could be improved?	Opportunities to connect with staff at host university (ideally during their orientation period) More practical things done during orientation (e.g., opening bank account) More time to settle in to host university before classes begin
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I think I knew everything going into the program that I needed to know. I think most of what I struggled with during my time in Germany contributed to experiences that allowed me to grow and learn. It's difficult to prepare for an experience that is challenging in the ways that an immersive semester is, but I think that's an important part of the experience as well.

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 Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	First Semester Intensive Writing: Culture and Composition
Course Department:	Middlebury School in Germany
Instructor:	Jennifer Hutchings
Instruction Language:	German
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	Introduction in Literature from 1750 to Present: Group 1, Literary Modern Period
Course Department:	Institut für Germanistik
Instructor:	Dr. Natalie Moser
Instruction Language:	German
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	From the Markomannen Wars to the Founding of Germanic States: Rome and the Germanics
Course Department:	Historisches Institut
Instructor:	Dr. Friedrich Anders
Instruction Language:
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues:

Course Name/Rating:	German-Jewish Citizenship in the 19th Century
Course Department:	Historisches Institut
Instructor:	Dr. Michael Schulz
Instruction Language:	German
Comments:
Credit Transfer Issues: