The program is what you make of it. Past Review

By (Illinois State University) - abroad from 01/02/2012 to 07/15/2012 with

Paderborn University: Paderborn - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
Language and international communication skills

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

easy enough, but porrly spaced out

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Terribly organized. Almost a joke

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Housing was clean and cheap

* Food:

Great, very clean, nice, and fun.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Yes, very well. Particularly with turkih people

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I was always healthy

* Safety:

Germany is super safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? No

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
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? 50 euro
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Eat pasta and potatoes, and cheap beer

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? Beginner
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? German 115
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? Make non-english speaking friends

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • 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? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Learning the language
  • Location
  • International Students
* What could be improved?
  • Organization
  • Organization
  • Organization
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? How to speak German