A life changing Marburg Exchange Past Review
By Carissa M (Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics., University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse) for
Philipps-Universität / University of Marburg: Marburg -International Undergraduate Study Program / IUSP
Language, Culture, Friends, responsibility, cooking ability! I have just grown into who I am as a person and it feels great!
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
It was great, the first six weeks have a harder work load then the last 8 weeks of each semester but overall it is not to bad. It is nice we have tutors to help with understanding what is going on in the class if its in German and also in English to get more out of the class. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Sometimes it was hard to get a hold of an advisor to ask for help, otherwise it was great. The program size was a decent size for the first semester the second semester is going to be a bit small :( |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
I lived in a flat in a Dorm. It was nice I had a German roommate! It was a great way to learn the language. The neighborhood was safe a bit far from town but, the buses ran at a decent time. Sheets were provided, cookware was not, neither was the necessities like garbage cans. The hausfrau was nice and my neighbors were nice as well. |
| * Food: |
I basically made my own food, but there is a Mensa for students in town. But it was in town and it was not convenient for me to go there. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I wouldn't change anything. It was great,all of the group trips. I do wish there were more group events planned during the last 8 weeks. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I did not realize I had health insurance until about 7 weeks into the program. That was partly my fault, but no one helped me realize it, so I went through being really sick with out a visit to the doctor. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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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) |
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Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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| Language acquisition improvement? |
I practiced the language with my fellow peers and with my roommate and within the class room. The majority of people could speak English but you were surrounded by German everyday ;) |
Direct Enrollment/Exchange
| * Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? | Exchange |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Don't be afraid of the language. Even if you don't know German, there were many who came and did not know any and ended up having an amazing time. I would say a student who is interested in learning the culture through experimentation, this program would be the best. Sometime you just gotta jump in and go for a swim! Come to Marburg- you won't regret it! |
