Hochschule für Musik - Baden Württemberg Exchange Past Review
By RyanDeLaney (Voice and Opera., University of Hartford) for
University of Mannheim: Mannheim - Direct Enrollment & Exchange
My study abraod experience was 100% worthwhile due to the life exeriences I gained, though the technicalities of the educational transfer proved to be a nightmare.
Personal Information
| If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: | Hochschule für Musik |
| The term and year this program took place: | Full-Year 2008 |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
The academic system here is so very different from the American system that attempting to transfer credits or fulfill requirements can be all but impossible. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
My program administration did little to help me with specifics over here; instead, I had to rely on the help of a good friend in Mannheim to get me settled in and get done all the things I needed to do. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
My apartment is located just out of center-city Mannheim and I am lucky to have great roomates. |
| * Food: |
I very rarely eat in any university dining hall; instead, I generally cook for myself (for convenience and health reasons). |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
I have done a good deal of traveling and experienced many festivals and great cultural events. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
I was simply instruced to purchase any health insurance which, fortunately, was enough to cover my requirements here in Germany. In terms of safety, I have never once felt in danger anywhere in Mannheim. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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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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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | I spent approximatley 400 Euros per month on food and personal items. |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | I exerienced no unanticipated expenses. In terms of sending advice, I would advise that students cook for themselves often and buy only what they need. |
Language
| Language acquisition improvement? |
I came to Germany with barely any knowledge of German (I had only ever taken one semester of German in the US about 3 years before I came to Germany, and I learned next to nothing in this class), but I had a single German language class during August 2008 |
Other Program Information
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* Who did you take classes 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? | This experience was great but students should plan very carefully and be sure that all of their requirements will definitely be fulfilled during their study abraod time. |
Individual Course Reviews
| Course Name/Rating: |
Historisch-Informierte Aufführungspraxis (Historically-Informed Performance Practices) |
| Course Department: | NA |
| Instructor: | Johaness Weiss |
| Instruction Language: | German |
| Comments: | Herr Weiss was an excellent teacher who was able to effectively demonstrate and teach effective singing techniques of the Baroque period. |
| Credit Transfer Issues: | This course was accepted the UH. |
