One of the best decisions I've ever made! Past Review
By Jacki S (Strategic Communications, Stephen F. Austin State University) - abroad from 03/11/2015 to 03/22/2015 with
Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA): Germany - Modern German Memory Spring Break Program
It was completely worthwhile, I've told everyone I know to do a study aboard program. I've gained memories, and new friends, and life experiences it was literally the best thing ever!
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 0-2 weeks |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
I really enjoyed the whole trip, I knew it was going to go by extremely fast but I felt that the last two days in Berlin were very rigorous we tried to fit too many museums into that short period and by the end of those two days I was especially tired and over done. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Every step of the way we had amazing guides to help us, our professors on the trip were very helpful and encouraged us to learn as much as possible! |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
Before the trip my roommate and I didn't really know each other and by the end we were best friends, the rooms and hotels were all very pleasant and I felt very comfortable. |
| * Food: |
I promised myself while I was over there to only eat new food and I did! Even though I didn't know any German I was very comfortable finding new food and learning more about the culture through the food |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
The best way for me to learn new things is to do it hands-on and being in this new culture and and walking around a new country was the best way for me to learn, I learned more during those 12 days than I ever could have out of a book! |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Felt extremely safe the whole time, I was never worried about anything happening. |
| 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) |
1. But I found it easy to pay for because I knew months before I would be going on this trip and was able to save for months so during the trip I could relax knowing I'd saved enough. |
| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | Probably anywhere between $200-350, it's been a while I can't remember the exact number |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I found out about this program in the early fall semester and knew right away I wanted to go, so I started saving as soon as I knew and it was just a little every month but in the end it really paid for the whole trip. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | None |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | I have never taken German before so I really didn't know any. |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | 0 |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Again, I wasn't in the German class and therefore wasn't pressured into learning much of the language before. I did get a "German for Dumbies" book just to learn a few words before. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 0 |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | More about the culture and the types of food I'd be eating |
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 Outright UrbaniteA social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country. |
